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
The man is believed to have fired emergency flares to signal for help, potentially igniting dry vegetation and sparking the wildfire.
—
Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 20 May 2026
Andrew Alan Lewis Mathews, 43, is accused of pouring gas on the victim and intentionally igniting it, the Greensboro Police Department says.
—Mark Price
may 20, Charlotte Observer, 20 May 2026
As covert wars collide across Tehran and the rainforests of Africa, every move risks igniting a global firestorm.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 19 May 2026
Since igniting, the fire has also destroyed at least two historic structures on the island, which is one of five islands located as part of the Channel Islands National Park.
—Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 19 May 2026
The flames burned at least one home and another structure after igniting Monday morning.
—Terry Castleman, Los Angeles Times, 18 May 2026
Like sparks igniting, the result is a piece that feels alive with energy rather than a dowdy relic of the past.
—Paige Reddinger, Robb Report, 17 May 2026
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
Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 20 May 2026
Andrew Alan Lewis Mathews, 43, is accused of pouring gas on the victim and intentionally igniting it, the Greensboro Police Department says.
—Mark Price
may 20, Charlotte Observer, 20 May 2026
As covert wars collide across Tehran and the rainforests of Africa, every move risks igniting a global firestorm.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 19 May 2026
Since igniting, the fire has also destroyed at least two historic structures on the island, which is one of five islands located as part of the Channel Islands National Park.
—Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 19 May 2026
The flames burned at least one home and another structure after igniting Monday morning.
—Terry Castleman, Los Angeles Times, 18 May 2026
Like sparks igniting, the result is a piece that feels alive with energy rather than a dowdy relic of the past.
—Paige Reddinger, Robb Report, 17 May 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for igniting
Verb
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Heard whole, the Barber-Menotti product is as gloriously over the top as anything that Bette Davis ever made with William Wyler—and Heartbeat’s reduction of it to its burning cinders is as just as effective as Glyndebourne’s grandly eloquent take.—
Russell Platt,
New Yorker,
20 May 2026
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In the northernmost part of Delaware, coal-burning steam locomotives still chug along historic rails, pulling travelers in antique passenger coaches.—
Travel + Leisure Editors,
Travel + Leisure,
19 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
-
Video posted to social media shows the wildfire scorching trees and structures along Highway 61.—
Cole Premo,
CBS News,
16 May 2026
Verb
-
Refrain from kindling fires with debris or any other materials during an air quality alert.—
Southern California Weather Report,
Daily News,
19 May 2026
-
Which kindling splitter is best?—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
19 May 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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Since the party rose to power in 2014, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the helm, critics have accused it of stifling civil liberties and the press, pursuing a Hindu-first agenda, and inflaming religious divisions within India’s secular democracy.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
22 May 2026
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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
Cite this Entry
“Igniting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/igniting. Accessed 23 May. 2026.
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