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
Older homes made of wood, which are more prone to igniting, are dotted throughout.
—
Lauren Sommer, NPR, 10 Apr. 2026
Right now, utilities can be on the hook for billions of dollars in damages from a wildfire if their equipment is involved in igniting it.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 10 Apr. 2026
Turning off your car’s engine prevents heat from the vehicle’s exhaust inadvertently igniting gasoline vapors.
—Laura Kiniry, Popular Science, 9 Apr. 2026
During this stage of the descent, Orion will be engulfed in a fireball, flickering plasma igniting outside the window hatches.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 9 Apr. 2026
The utility’s transmission line is now suspected of igniting the January 2025 Eaton fire, which killed 19 and destroyed thousands of homes.
—Melody Petersen, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2026
As of April 9, the cosmic warrior will be back in its element — Mars will blaze into Aries, igniting a surge of raw motivation, courage and the desire to start moving forward.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 9 Apr. 2026
The suspects charged with igniting homemade bombs outside Gracie Mansion last month were indicted Tuesday.
—Alexa Herrera, CBS News, 8 Apr. 2026
Shifted into the leadoff spot, the senior shortstop immediately became a spark plug for the Spartans, setting the table and igniting the engine of a lineup that feeds off his energy.
—Patrick Z. McGavin, Chicago Tribune, 8 Apr. 2026
Lauren Sommer, NPR, 10 Apr. 2026
Right now, utilities can be on the hook for billions of dollars in damages from a wildfire if their equipment is involved in igniting it.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 10 Apr. 2026
Turning off your car’s engine prevents heat from the vehicle’s exhaust inadvertently igniting gasoline vapors.
—Laura Kiniry, Popular Science, 9 Apr. 2026
During this stage of the descent, Orion will be engulfed in a fireball, flickering plasma igniting outside the window hatches.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 9 Apr. 2026
The utility’s transmission line is now suspected of igniting the January 2025 Eaton fire, which killed 19 and destroyed thousands of homes.
—Melody Petersen, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2026
As of April 9, the cosmic warrior will be back in its element — Mars will blaze into Aries, igniting a surge of raw motivation, courage and the desire to start moving forward.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 9 Apr. 2026
The suspects charged with igniting homemade bombs outside Gracie Mansion last month were indicted Tuesday.
—Alexa Herrera, CBS News, 8 Apr. 2026
Shifted into the leadoff spot, the senior shortstop immediately became a spark plug for the Spartans, setting the table and igniting the engine of a lineup that feeds off his energy.
—Patrick Z. McGavin, Chicago Tribune, 8 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for igniting
Verb
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The group then sprang into action, rushing to pull them from the burning vehicle and extinguish the flames.—
Michele Gile,
CBS News,
7 Apr. 2026
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Dinner is focused around a large wood burning oven, putting out deliciously charred meats and veggies, and there’s a vibrant after-work drinks scene that always has this place pumping.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Higher heat encourages better skin texture, but balance is key to keep the potato from scorching before the interior softens through.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
4 Apr. 2026
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Devastating, scorching March The Sierra snowpack saw some promising accumulations earlier in the winter, especially between late December and early January, and during a very cold storm in mid-February that produced a lot of snow.—
Chaewon Chung,
Sacbee.com,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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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
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Even minor parks or embers might be carried into leaves or grass, kindling a fire that can swiftly expand.—
KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT,
Kansas City Star,
21 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Just last week, two men and a teenager were arrested for allegedly torching ambulances operated by a Jewish community service in northwest London.—
Kevin Dolak,
HollywoodReporter,
6 Apr. 2026
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Jamal Murray has been torching opposing defenses, and Nikola Jokić is dropping dimes left and right.—
Zach Harper,
New York Times,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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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
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The bacterium can also infiltrate the bloodstream, inflaming blood vessels, which may leave lasting damage even in people who recover from the initial infection.—
Lauren J. Young,
Scientific American,
21 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Igniting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/igniting. Accessed 11 Apr. 2026.
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