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
In Nigeria, corruption in the oil sector and security forces helped Boko Haram take root; in Tunisia and Egypt, rage at theft by officials ignited the destabilizing Arab Spring.
—
Zephyr Teachout, The Atlantic, 22 Sep. 2025
The retaliation has in turn ignited a debate over the First Amendment.
—Jonathan J. Cooper, Twin Cities, 22 Sep. 2025
The flames surged around the buildings, igniting Italian cypresses, the tapered trees that insurance agents call Roman candles, for their propensity to burn.
—Dana Goodyear, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2025
His assassination has ignited a firestorm across the country.
—Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 21 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ignite
Zephyr Teachout, The Atlantic, 22 Sep. 2025
The retaliation has in turn ignited a debate over the First Amendment.
—Jonathan J. Cooper, Twin Cities, 22 Sep. 2025
The flames surged around the buildings, igniting Italian cypresses, the tapered trees that insurance agents call Roman candles, for their propensity to burn.
—Dana Goodyear, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2025
His assassination has ignited a firestorm across the country.
—Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 21 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ignite
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ignite
Verb
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Solana Fire has been burning on private land.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
21 Sep. 2025
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This shifts emissions from burning fuel on-site to the electricity supply—meaning an EAF running on renewables can cut CO₂ dramatically.—
Srishti Gupta,
Interesting Engineering,
21 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Le Creuset Stoneware Heritage Rectangular Dish This baking dish is crafted from durable stone that maintains even temperatures and prevents scorching.—
Emily Weaver,
PEOPLE,
20 Sep. 2025
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Potent scenes fail to be as intense as Taylor’s grind-you-up performance that scorches everything and everyone around her.—
Randy Myers,
Mercury News,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
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There’s something so special about those simple joys — putting on a big cozy jacket, lighting the fireplace, and just settling in together as a family.—
Victoria Uwumarogie,
Essence,
25 Sep. 2025
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Another member of the cast, Teyana Taylor, who was married to former Kings player Iman Shumpert from 2016 to 2024, attended multiple Kings games while the film was in-production and lit the beam after a win.—
Graham Womack,
Sacbee.com,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Algorithms provide greater visibility to comments that inflame reaction and distort the median view.—
Ronald J. Hansen,
AZCentral.com,
19 Sep. 2025
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Researchers have previously noted an elevated but rare risk of myocarditis, or inflamed heart muscle, in young men in particular.—
Annika Kim Constantino,
CNBC,
18 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ignite.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ignite. Accessed 28 Sep. 2025.
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