ignites

verb

present tense third-person singular of ignite
as in burns
to set (something) on fire tried using newspapers as kindling to ignite the logs in the fireplace

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of ignites This is the area where, if an ember lands and ignites something — a pile of firewood, a trash can or a deck — fire can break into the house and burn it down. — Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026 Continue reading … DOUBLE STANDARD — Attorney warns higher education is 'failing' as student faith fight ignites. — FOXNews.com, 2 Oct. 2026 With his business up and running, an unexpected spark ignites his love life. — Denise Petski, Deadline, 25 Sep. 2026 Her resistance ignites a conflict that exposes hidden secrets, shifting loyalties and traditions that have shaped the family for generations. — Ed Meza, Variety, 21 Sep. 2026 As the journey unfolds, romance ignites; alliances form; and hearts are shattered. — Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 31 Aug. 2026 This time around, Connect 3 returns to Camp Rock for a music challenge that ignites feuds among the competitors and campers. — Lisa Stardust, PEOPLE, 13 Aug. 2026 Compressed gas ejects the missile from its vertical launch cell before its main engine ignites above the ship. — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 30 July 2026 Next door in Idaho, the National Interagency Fire Center recently went to its highest preparedness level, meaning if another major fire ignites out here there won't be enough federal resources available to respond. — Kirk Siegler, NPR, 29 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ignites
  1. burns
  2. scorches
  3. inflames
  4. kindles
  5. fires
Verb
  • The friction causes an electrical shock that burns Clancy, and Lisa steals his keys.
    — Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 14 Oct. 2026
  • The Aspen Acres Fire burns behind homes on July 3, 2026, in Rye, Colorado.
    — Christa Swanson, CBS News, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of burns
Verb
  • The city is bracing for triple digit temperatures this week as another heat wave scorches Central and Eastern Europe, driving fears that levels could drop even further.
    — Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 5 Aug. 2026
  • France followed its hottest-ever day with yet more brutal temperatures as a deadly heat wave scorches much of western Europe.
    — Elizabeth Robinson, NBC news, 24 June 2026
Definition of scorches
Verb
  • Asthma is a chronic condition that inflames the airways and can make breathing difficult.
    — Sanja Jelic, Verywell Health, 29 Apr. 2026
  • The episode inflames the diplomatic spat between the two countries that began over Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s comments about Taiwan.
    — J.D. Capelouto, semafor.com, 25 Mar. 2026
Definition of inflames
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
Definition of kindles
Verb
  • After all, what could go wrong sitting atop three million barrels of oil while a hostile country fires missiles and drones at it?
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Andrew Garfield stars as Altman, with Anora‘s Yura Borisov playing Ilya Sutskever, the chief scientific officer and co-founder of OpenAI who fires Altman.
    — Abid Rahman, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of fires

Browse Nearby Words

igniters
ignites
igniting
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Cite this Entry

“Ignites.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ignites. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

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