as in to burn
to set (something) on fire
tried using newspapers as kindling to ignite the logs in the fireplace
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Recent Examples of ignite
The idea of the shutdown has ignited debate online, with critics arguing how the nationwide protest could impact families living paycheck to paycheck.
—
Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 30 Jan. 2026
His third-period backhander turned out to be the game-winner for the B’s over the Chicago Blackhawks, igniting his patented Kura-leap celebration into glass under the blue-gray skies of South Bend.
—Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 30 Jan. 2026
Neon-green digital readouts, dripping blood, three-ring binders full of technical instructions, and endless close-ups of the navigation system ground the movie in tactile realism but rarely ignite imagination.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 29 Jan. 2026
The Thompson Fire ignited July 2, 2024, along Cherokee Road in east Oroville during hot, dry and windy conditions.
—Daniel Hunt, Sacbee.com, 29 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ignite
Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 30 Jan. 2026
His third-period backhander turned out to be the game-winner for the B’s over the Chicago Blackhawks, igniting his patented Kura-leap celebration into glass under the blue-gray skies of South Bend.
—Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 30 Jan. 2026
Neon-green digital readouts, dripping blood, three-ring binders full of technical instructions, and endless close-ups of the navigation system ground the movie in tactile realism but rarely ignite imagination.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 29 Jan. 2026
The Thompson Fire ignited July 2, 2024, along Cherokee Road in east Oroville during hot, dry and windy conditions.
—Daniel Hunt, Sacbee.com, 29 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ignite
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ignite
Verb
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Melody Townsend was convicted after the body of her daughter, Ana Marie Townsend, was found by first responders wrapped in plastic inside the attic of a burned, abandoned home in the 15400 block of Hamlin Avenue in Markham in 2017.—
Jeramie Bizzle,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
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When James Watt improved steam engine efficiency, factories did not burn the same amount of coal to do the same work.—
Jon Markman,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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During Tuesday's quarterfinal between Aryna Sabalenka and Iva Jovic - the last match played under scorching sun - the players held ice packs to their heads and portable fans to their faces during breaks in play.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
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Additionally, when baking at high heat (above 425°F), parchment paper could scorch or become brittle.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
25 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The streets are begrimed by factory smoke, fecund with horse dung and lit by lanterns.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Jan. 2026
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No one even lives here, said Chuky, trying to light a cigarette but foiled by a laugh.—
Jonathan Miles,
Harpers Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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But the show’s standout is Sophia Lillis, whose distraught, morally inflamed Riley is the play’s most original figure.—
Emily Nussbaum,
New Yorker,
30 Jan. 2026
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Further complicating matters is the fact that her new beau, Principal Brady, is objectively punchable enough to inflame Doug’s rage.—
David Ehrlich,
IndieWire,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Lakeside's previous police chief, who also served as mayor, Robert Gordanaire, was fired after he and his daughter, the town clerk, were indicted by a grand jury for selling vehicles belonging to the town and pocketing the profit.—
Brian Maass,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
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Even the oldest maxim about cab drivers and bell hops giving share prices was tested by relating an anecdote about comments in his village pub from locals and complete strangers firing questions at him and a fellow gold trader about the gold price.—
Tim Treadgold,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ignite.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ignite. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
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