as in burns
to set (something) on fire
tried using newspapers as kindling to ignite the logs in the fireplace
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Recent Examples of ignites
The conjunction between Mercury and fiery Mars in your 5th House of Originality ignites your ability to express yourself with flair that showcases your talent and resilience.
—
Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 15 Mar. 2026
When the small town of Marion, Kansas, is thrust into the international spotlight after a police raid on the Marion County Record and the death of its 98-year-old co-owner, a fierce debate ignites about the abuse of power, journalistic ethics, local journalism, and the United States Constitution.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 12 Mar. 2026
The white phosphorus then ignites and burns intensely, destroying the agents by incinerating them – a method meant to reduce the risk of spreading the materials and to limit potential harm to civilians and the surrounding environment.
—Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 8 Mar. 2026
But like the spark that ignites a giant bonfire, that battle was the beginning of something new.
—Sayantani Dasgupta
february 24, Literary Hub, 24 Feb. 2026
Please avoid any activities that may cause a spark or a flame; any flame that ignites has the potential of spreading rapidly.
—Michael Autovino, CBS News, 24 Feb. 2026
Then a tiny amount of fuel is injected right at the spark head as the plug ignites.
—New Atlas, 23 Feb. 2026
Jodie Turner-Smith presented Teyana Taylor with the Vanguard Spotlight Award, which celebrates a trailblazer who ignites the imaginations of cognoscenti and audiences alike.
—Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 12 Feb. 2026
This time, his Bride (Buckley) not only comes alive, but also ignites a cultural revolution as the outlaw lovers embark on a cross-country crime spree.
—Sydney Bucksbaum, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Feb. 2026
Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 15 Mar. 2026
When the small town of Marion, Kansas, is thrust into the international spotlight after a police raid on the Marion County Record and the death of its 98-year-old co-owner, a fierce debate ignites about the abuse of power, journalistic ethics, local journalism, and the United States Constitution.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 12 Mar. 2026
The white phosphorus then ignites and burns intensely, destroying the agents by incinerating them – a method meant to reduce the risk of spreading the materials and to limit potential harm to civilians and the surrounding environment.
—Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 8 Mar. 2026
But like the spark that ignites a giant bonfire, that battle was the beginning of something new.
—Sayantani Dasgupta
february 24, Literary Hub, 24 Feb. 2026
Please avoid any activities that may cause a spark or a flame; any flame that ignites has the potential of spreading rapidly.
—Michael Autovino, CBS News, 24 Feb. 2026
Then a tiny amount of fuel is injected right at the spark head as the plug ignites.
—New Atlas, 23 Feb. 2026
Jodie Turner-Smith presented Teyana Taylor with the Vanguard Spotlight Award, which celebrates a trailblazer who ignites the imaginations of cognoscenti and audiences alike.
—Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 12 Feb. 2026
This time, his Bride (Buckley) not only comes alive, but also ignites a cultural revolution as the outlaw lovers embark on a cross-country crime spree.
—Sydney Bucksbaum, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ignites
Verb
-
If Sunday was any indication, the love affair between Avs fans and Kadri burns as hot as ever.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
9 Mar. 2026
-
The white phosphorus then ignites and burns intensely, destroying the agents by incinerating them – a method meant to reduce the risk of spreading the materials and to limit potential harm to civilians and the surrounding environment.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
As the world around them scorches under record heat, a family walks into the woods, asking what the future holds in this thermal dystopia.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
14 Jan. 2026
-
That’s the difference between fury that scorches everything in sight and anger that fuels justice.—
Marc Brackett,
Time,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Sensational or biased language inflames opinion before readers learn the facts.—
Letters to the Editor,
The Orlando Sentinel,
7 Mar. 2026
-
Pause before sharing something that inflames fear or confusion.—
Audra Berg,
Sun Sentinel,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
While Martin Scorsese called it one of the scariest movies of all time, The Uninvited kindles a wonderful romance between Rick and Stella.—
Steven Thrash,
Entertainment Weekly,
25 Oct. 2025
-
The star of Big Little Lies confessed her new film, Caught Stealing, kindles a powerful yearning for some aspects of the era.—
Ryan Coleman,
EW.com,
1 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
When a police department fires an officer, state law requires the agency to notify CLEET.—
Ashlynd Baecht,
The Frontier,
19 Mar. 2026
-
Three shots can be heard as the officer fires his gun.—
Shambhavi Rimal,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
16 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ignites.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ignites. Accessed 23 Mar. 2026.
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