as in burning
being on fire
kindled straw was responsible for the blaze that destroyed the barn
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in burned
to set (something) on fire
worried that lightning will kindle the forest in the drought-stricken nature preserve
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of kindled
Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 14 Jan. 2026
This is only slightly challenged by a flame kindled between Mindy and Alfie (Lucien Laviscount) earlier on in the show.
—Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 5 Jan. 2026
The ballroom aces met on Broadway, kindled a romance on the reality dancing competition, and married in 2017.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Dec. 2025
Still, the hearing last year that reduced his sentence kindled some optimism.
—Amy Yurkanin, ProPublica, 9 Oct. 2025
Anhedönia’s earliest exposure to contemporary culture came in the form of the true-crime serials her grandmother loved, which kindled her own interest in the macabre.
—Holden Seidlitz, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2025
Verb
Watson had kindled a social media friendship with the NBA star and received an invite to one of his exclusive pickup runs.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 14 Jan. 2026
This is only slightly challenged by a flame kindled between Mindy and Alfie (Lucien Laviscount) earlier on in the show.
—Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 5 Jan. 2026
The ballroom aces met on Broadway, kindled a romance on the reality dancing competition, and married in 2017.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Dec. 2025
Still, the hearing last year that reduced his sentence kindled some optimism.
—Amy Yurkanin, ProPublica, 9 Oct. 2025
Anhedönia’s earliest exposure to contemporary culture came in the form of the true-crime serials her grandmother loved, which kindled her own interest in the macabre.
—Holden Seidlitz, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for kindled
Adjective
-
Please tell me the sequel could answer the most burning question of the ’00s: How could Austin not recognize Sam in that mask?—
Stephanie McNeal,
Glamour,
13 Aug. 2025
-
Cooper, 30, asked Hargitay one more burning question about the actors' on-screen alter egos: will Olivia and Elliot ever end up together?—
Victoria Edel,
People.com,
26 June 2025
Verb
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The blaze burned alongside the equally disastrous Eaton fire, largely in Altadena and the San Gabriel Valley.—
Michelle Edgar,
Daily News,
24 Jan. 2026
-
Changing transmission fluid on a high-mileage vehicle is generally acceptable if the fluid is not burnt.—
John Paul,
The Providence Journal,
23 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The Giants have had four since 2018, and general manager Schoen is on a blazing-hot seat.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
10 Jan. 2026
-
In nuclear thermal rockets, a small nuclear reactor heats up a propellant — often liquid hydrogen — to blazing temperatures in the thousands of degrees.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
15 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Hernandez made her only basket of the first half on a pull-up 3-pointer that ignited a 9-0 run and gave the Anteaters their biggest lead of the game at 16-8.—
Dan Arritt,
Oc Register,
25 Jan. 2026
-
Her relationships with Paralympic athletes have ignited an interest in prosthetics.—
Sean Gregory,
Time,
23 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
On his forearm, Johnson sports a tattoo of the Skyway Grill’s flaming burger logo.—
Jared Kaufman,
Twin Cities,
11 Jan. 2026
-
Bowie sported a flaming red mullet, glamorous outfits and pale white makeup for the character, who became a lasting symbol of the 1970s.—
Alex Heigl,
PEOPLE,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Her work has appeared in Annulet, Changes Review, blush lit, and elsewhere.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
23 Jan. 2026
-
The unique treehouses couldn't be more romantic—lit by lanterns, candles, the stars and the moon.—
Jessica Chapel,
Condé Nast Traveler,
22 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
This year, the rumors swirl, a constant, low hum: Outer Heaven and Cuatro Gato, two more flickering lights, are expected to fade.—
Ana Gutierrez,
Austin American Statesman,
2 July 2025
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But there’s more flickering contrast in Narayan van Maele’s lensing, which alternates dun realism with occasionally hyperreal lighting and composition, particularly when the pagan promise of fire is in the frame.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
25 Mar. 2022
Adjective
-
Taylor then lights a cigarette, sets the tchotchkes aflame, and fury-walks out the door.—
Raechal Shewfelt,
Entertainment Weekly,
22 Jan. 2026
-
As the work of Colorado’s investigators has stretched on, the diaspora of associates and friends and lawyers who knew Hunter has been aflame with speculation.—
New York Times,
New York Times,
18 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Kindled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kindled. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.
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