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
Hurricane-force winds fanned the flames, igniting grasses and brush left bone‑dry by years of drought.
—
Josh Green, Time, 30 Oct. 2025
Since the launch of ChatGPT in 2022, Nvidia's shares have climbed 12-fold as the AI frenzy propelled the S&P 500 to record highs, igniting a debate on whether frothy tech valuations could lead to the next big bubble.
—Niket Nishant, USA Today, 29 Oct. 2025
After a tumultuous back-and-forth situation that sees Lawrence and Issa re-igniting the flame, an accidental pregnancy for Condola and Lawrence flips everything on its head.
—John Ortved, Vogue, 29 Oct. 2025
Despite her individual success, the Wings fell to a 10-34 record, last place in the league standings, promptly firing coach Chris Koclanes and igniting a search for a new bench boss.
—Rowan Fisher-Shotton, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Oct. 2025
So Hernandez was allowed to compete as a girl, become a national spectacle, and then play out a final high school volleyball season, igniting protests from opponents and teammates alike.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2025
But perhaps more importantly, Cork Tree helped the band become the therapists pumping through the speakers of a whole generation of skinny jean-wearing teens, igniting the pop-punk and emo music scene into a blazing force for the masses.
—Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 22 Oct. 2025
Aeration makes big openings in the soil that allow valuable elements to filter in, re-igniting the soil’s microbial life that will further assist with creating healthy soil conditions.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Oct. 2025
Two people were killed and 10 had to be rescued after debris from a drone attack hit a 16-story residential building in Kyiv’s Dniprovskiy district, igniting a fire, according to Kyiv’s mayor Vitali Klitschko and the Kyiv city office.
—Michael Rios, CNN Money, 22 Oct. 2025
Josh Green, Time, 30 Oct. 2025
Since the launch of ChatGPT in 2022, Nvidia's shares have climbed 12-fold as the AI frenzy propelled the S&P 500 to record highs, igniting a debate on whether frothy tech valuations could lead to the next big bubble.
—Niket Nishant, USA Today, 29 Oct. 2025
After a tumultuous back-and-forth situation that sees Lawrence and Issa re-igniting the flame, an accidental pregnancy for Condola and Lawrence flips everything on its head.
—John Ortved, Vogue, 29 Oct. 2025
Despite her individual success, the Wings fell to a 10-34 record, last place in the league standings, promptly firing coach Chris Koclanes and igniting a search for a new bench boss.
—Rowan Fisher-Shotton, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Oct. 2025
So Hernandez was allowed to compete as a girl, become a national spectacle, and then play out a final high school volleyball season, igniting protests from opponents and teammates alike.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2025
But perhaps more importantly, Cork Tree helped the band become the therapists pumping through the speakers of a whole generation of skinny jean-wearing teens, igniting the pop-punk and emo music scene into a blazing force for the masses.
—Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 22 Oct. 2025
Aeration makes big openings in the soil that allow valuable elements to filter in, re-igniting the soil’s microbial life that will further assist with creating healthy soil conditions.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Oct. 2025
Two people were killed and 10 had to be rescued after debris from a drone attack hit a 16-story residential building in Kyiv’s Dniprovskiy district, igniting a fire, according to Kyiv’s mayor Vitali Klitschko and the Kyiv city office.
—Michael Rios, CNN Money, 22 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for igniting
Verb
-
Sc/sd/11x Fire has been burning on private land.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
3 Nov. 2025
-
Cobalt, which can cause a burning sensation when handled, was one of the most common of these and is named for the kobold.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Without the trees, Smith said, the street is a beacon for scorching heat.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
3 Nov. 2025
-
In the second quarter, the Blazers shot a scorching 9 of 11 from 3-point range.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Even minor parks or embers might be carried into leaves or grass, kindling a fire that can swiftly expand.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
27 Oct. 2025
-
There's a lot of kindling around, and there's a lot of like newspapers that can catch on fire.—
Keith Sharon,
Nashville Tennessean,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
In 1992, the Serbian military burned down the National and University Library of Bosnia and Herzegovina, torching thousands of historic manuscripts.—
Ryan Byrnes,
Literary Hub,
7 Oct. 2025
-
The two reminisce in their childhood bedroom over a joint and bond as siblings over their respective failures in life before torching the place.—
Andrew Bernard,
The Washington Examiner,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Visiting the shrine as prime minister would risk inflaming anger in the region.—
Jordan King,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Oct. 2025
-
Hollywood these days feels really fearful of enflaming conservative ire.—
David Amsden,
Rolling Stone,
7 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Igniting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/igniting. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.
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