as in burning
to set (something) on fire
tried using newspapers as kindling to ignite the logs in the fireplace
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Recent Examples of igniting
In 1985, a confrontation between Philadelphia authorities and the radical group MOVE ended as a police helicopter dropped two bombs onto the group’s row house, igniting a fire that killed 11 people (including five children) and destroyed 61 homes.
—
Chicago Tribune, 13 May 2026
Continue reading … JET SWEAT SET — Marco Rubio spotted in Nike tracksuit aboard Air Force One during trip to China, igniting memes online.
—FOXNews.com, 13 May 2026
Dan filed for divorce in 1985, igniting a years-long legal and custody battle that became increasingly hostile.
—Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 9 May 2026
Marshall may have found the gold, but historians credit another man with igniting the California gold rush.
—Jennifer Wilson, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
Officials say proper landscaping, combined with defensible space and home hardening, can reduce the likelihood of a home igniting during a wildfire.
—City News Service, Daily News, 4 May 2026
The second vehicle caught fire after the crash, igniting a small grass fire along the highway.
—Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 3 May 2026
Over a whirlwind night, Audrey and Hubert risk their respective careers to help one another, igniting the start of a legendary forty-year creative partnership.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 1 May 2026
Four times in the decisive fourth inning, Birmingham hitters hit outside pitches to right field for base hits, igniting a four-run inning and leading to a 10-2 victory, pulling the Patriots into a first-place tie with El Camino Real in the West Valley League going a Friday game at Birmingham.
—Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2026
Chicago Tribune, 13 May 2026
Continue reading … JET SWEAT SET — Marco Rubio spotted in Nike tracksuit aboard Air Force One during trip to China, igniting memes online.
—FOXNews.com, 13 May 2026
Dan filed for divorce in 1985, igniting a years-long legal and custody battle that became increasingly hostile.
—Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 9 May 2026
Marshall may have found the gold, but historians credit another man with igniting the California gold rush.
—Jennifer Wilson, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
Officials say proper landscaping, combined with defensible space and home hardening, can reduce the likelihood of a home igniting during a wildfire.
—City News Service, Daily News, 4 May 2026
The second vehicle caught fire after the crash, igniting a small grass fire along the highway.
—Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 3 May 2026
Over a whirlwind night, Audrey and Hubert risk their respective careers to help one another, igniting the start of a legendary forty-year creative partnership.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 1 May 2026
Four times in the decisive fourth inning, Birmingham hitters hit outside pitches to right field for base hits, igniting a four-run inning and leading to a 10-2 victory, pulling the Patriots into a first-place tie with El Camino Real in the West Valley League going a Friday game at Birmingham.
—Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for igniting
Verb
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Boeing expects to generate between $1 billion to $3 billion of free cash flow in 2026, following back-to-back years of burning cash.—
Morgan Chittum,
CNBC,
12 May 2026
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The crew had to use another door to gain access to the burning home.—
Latoya Gayle,
PEOPLE,
12 May 2026
Verb
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Visit in late spring or fall for pleasant weather; summer can get scorching, especially come midday.—
Stephanie Vermillion,
Travel + Leisure,
17 May 2026
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Video posted to social media shows the wildfire scorching trees and structures along Highway 61.—
Cole Premo,
CBS News,
16 May 2026
Verb
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The Lakers picked up steam down the stretch in the regular season, winning 16 of 18 heading into April and kindling hope of being a dark-horse candidate to give trouble to the Thunder or Spurs in the playoffs.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
12 May 2026
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Rather than have their payroll and egos be kindling for clubhouse dysfunction, the Dodgers have found a formula to keep their winning ways going.—
Fabian Ardaya,
New York Times,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Continue reading … LEFT'S CIVIL WAR — 'Pro-capitalist' Fetterman names names, torching fellow Dems as extremists.—
,
FOXNews.com,
14 May 2026
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But Thunder reserve guard Isaiah Joe, who had been relatively quiet after torching the Lakers from long range during the regular season (12 for 17 from 3-point range in their final two matchups), made consecutive 3-pointers to give the Thunder a 90-79 cushion entering the fourth quarter.—
Benjamin Royer,
Oc Register,
10 May 2026
Verb
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Unfortunately, Lace delivers a kick that knocks Jinx on his back, inflaming an old injury.—
Dessi Gomez,
Deadline,
22 Apr. 2026
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Trump’s decision to send ICE agents to the airports risks inflaming the situation, lawmakers have said.—
Kevin Freking,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Igniting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/igniting. Accessed 19 May. 2026.
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