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
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
Once fired, Blogoslawski filed a request to begin collecting her pension, igniting an effort by the Sanchez administration to determine whether the MOU signed by Stewart is binding.
—Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 30 Apr. 2026
This anger crackles around him like a smoldering fire, igniting and engulfing everyone from the workers on his farm, his meek sister Férula (Fernanda Castillo), to Clara and, eventually, to their daughter, Blanca (Sara Becker and later Fernanda Urrejola), Alba’s idealistic mother.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 29 Apr. 2026
Flores also poured a liquid on the flames, igniting them further.
—Julie Sharp, CBS News, 29 Apr. 2026
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
Once fired, Blogoslawski filed a request to begin collecting her pension, igniting an effort by the Sanchez administration to determine whether the MOU signed by Stewart is binding.
—Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 30 Apr. 2026
This anger crackles around him like a smoldering fire, igniting and engulfing everyone from the workers on his farm, his meek sister Férula (Fernanda Castillo), to Clara and, eventually, to their daughter, Blanca (Sara Becker and later Fernanda Urrejola), Alba’s idealistic mother.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 29 Apr. 2026
Flores also poured a liquid on the flames, igniting them further.
—Julie Sharp, CBS News, 29 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for igniting
Verb
-
Maps show where the wildfires are burning across Florida and Georgia.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
-
The video shows stunned drivers making a break for it after the firework went off, even though 77 was still partially burning.—
Joe Bruno,
Charlotte Observer,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
If a strip feels warm to the touch or shows signs of scorching, replace it.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Charlotte Observer,
8 May 2026
-
Westerners, Arabs and Indians dominate business and finance, while laborers from poor countries in Asia and Africa toil for long hours in scorching temperatures at oil facilities and construction sites — often with few protections.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
4 May 2026
Verb
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
After torching Atlanta to close out the series, the Knicks blew out the Philadelphia 76ers in Game One of the next round.—
Louisa Thomas,
New Yorker,
10 May 2026
Verb
-
Unfortunately, Lace delivers a kick that knocks Jinx on his back, inflaming an old injury.—
Dessi Gomez,
Deadline,
22 Apr. 2026
-
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 12 May. 2026.
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