as in burning
to set (something) on fire
tried using newspapers as kindling to ignite the logs in the fireplace
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 igniting
The image ricocheted across the country, igniting outrage from lawmakers and the public.
—
Mike Hixenbaugh, NBC news, 6 Feb. 2026
Minutes later, Jarred Vanderbilt stripped Drake Powell, pushed the ball ahead to Austin Reaves and watched Reaves lob it off the glass to James, igniting the Lakers-heavy crowd.
—C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 4 Feb. 2026
The findings were provided to the Yolo County District Attorney’s Office, which has conducted a far-reaching criminal probe into the fireworks operation that exploded in the rural community, killing seven people and igniting a 78-acre wildfire.
—Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 2 Feb. 2026
Things begin to unravel when the head of her ballet company (Jack Huston) marries a contemporary choreographer (Betty Gabriel), disrupting the company’s tradition and igniting a quiet, atmospheric power struggle that threatens the very future of the institution.
—Gillian Telling, PEOPLE, 30 Jan. 2026
His third-period backhander turned out to be the game-winner for the B’s over the Chicago Blackhawks, igniting his patented Kura-leap celebration into glass under the blue-gray skies of South Bend.
—Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 30 Jan. 2026
The Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center filed a lawsuit against Southern California Edison Tuesday, claiming the electric company was to blame for igniting last year’s Eaton fire, which destroyed the congregation’s historic sanctuary, preschool and other buildings.
—Melody Petersen, Los Angeles Times, 28 Jan. 2026
The governor's directive is re-igniting debate over whether Texas is welcoming to those from abroad.
—Ken Molestina, CBS News, 28 Jan. 2026
After igniting speculation about her return in December, Williams tried to shut down the chatter with a firm social media post.
—Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 28 Jan. 2026
Mike Hixenbaugh, NBC news, 6 Feb. 2026
Minutes later, Jarred Vanderbilt stripped Drake Powell, pushed the ball ahead to Austin Reaves and watched Reaves lob it off the glass to James, igniting the Lakers-heavy crowd.
—C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 4 Feb. 2026
The findings were provided to the Yolo County District Attorney’s Office, which has conducted a far-reaching criminal probe into the fireworks operation that exploded in the rural community, killing seven people and igniting a 78-acre wildfire.
—Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 2 Feb. 2026
Things begin to unravel when the head of her ballet company (Jack Huston) marries a contemporary choreographer (Betty Gabriel), disrupting the company’s tradition and igniting a quiet, atmospheric power struggle that threatens the very future of the institution.
—Gillian Telling, PEOPLE, 30 Jan. 2026
His third-period backhander turned out to be the game-winner for the B’s over the Chicago Blackhawks, igniting his patented Kura-leap celebration into glass under the blue-gray skies of South Bend.
—Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 30 Jan. 2026
The Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center filed a lawsuit against Southern California Edison Tuesday, claiming the electric company was to blame for igniting last year’s Eaton fire, which destroyed the congregation’s historic sanctuary, preschool and other buildings.
—Melody Petersen, Los Angeles Times, 28 Jan. 2026
The governor's directive is re-igniting debate over whether Texas is welcoming to those from abroad.
—Ken Molestina, CBS News, 28 Jan. 2026
After igniting speculation about her return in December, Williams tried to shut down the chatter with a firm social media post.
—Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 28 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for igniting
Verb
-
An officer quickly stepped on the burning bag and extinguished the flames before the fire could spread.—
Chelsea Jones,
CBS News,
3 Feb. 2026
-
The enduring scent of burning garbage, used as one of the sole means of ridding neighborhoods of their trash.—
Ruth Jean-Marie,
Time,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The hard X-ray peak came first, intense and quickly, followed by a longer, scorching soft X-ray and optical glow.—
Paul Sutter,
Space.com,
6 Feb. 2026
-
The Best Ways To Reheat Cooked Bacon Cooked bacon reheats quickly, so always keep an eye on it to prevent scorching.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Even minor parks or embers might be carried into leaves or grass, kindling a fire that can swiftly expand.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
29 Dec. 2025
-
Refrain from kindling fires with debris or any other materials during an air quality alert.—
Southern California Weather Report,
Oc Register,
20 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
That came just 24 days after Dennis Allen’s Saints were on the wrong end of a Nacua torching — 9-164-1 — an experience Allen was reminded of Thursday.—
Dan Wiederer,
New York Times,
16 Jan. 2026
-
The Jayhawks won despite TCU torching the KU defense for 15 made 3s on 35 attempts.—
Gary Bedore,
Kansas City Star,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Further inflaming the issue this week was images of Liam Ramos, a 5-year-old boy who was detained by ICE agents along with his father in Minnesota, prompting strong pushback from local officials.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
22 Jan. 2026
-
On top of that, Sybil receives a terminal breast cancer diagnosis, further inflaming tensions throughout the house over the holidays.—
Tommy McArdle,
PEOPLE,
7 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Igniting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/igniting. Accessed 10 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
