as in fuel
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as in burning
to set (something) on fire
worried that lightning will kindle the forest in the drought-stricken nature preserve
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of kindling
Nick Caruso, TVLine, 11 Dec. 2024
By that time, the mountains around L.A. were like a giant pile of kindling.
—Jeff Goodell, Rolling Stone, 13 Feb. 2025
Then Sam throws the rest of his kindling onto his fire in a last-ditch attempt just as, as Jeffrey says, the wind blows Teeny’s fire away from her rope and blows Sam’s fire upward toward his rope.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 18 Dec. 2024
In the dry seasons, the brush withered into kindling waiting to ignite.
—Elizabeth Kolbert, The New Yorker, 19 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for kindling
Noun
And this sheer madness provides enough kindling to light Tribal afire.
—Nick Caruso, TVLine, 11 Dec. 2024
By that time, the mountains around L.A. were like a giant pile of kindling.
—Jeff Goodell, Rolling Stone, 13 Feb. 2025
Then Sam throws the rest of his kindling onto his fire in a last-ditch attempt just as, as Jeffrey says, the wind blows Teeny’s fire away from her rope and blows Sam’s fire upward toward his rope.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 18 Dec. 2024
In the dry seasons, the brush withered into kindling waiting to ignite.
—Elizabeth Kolbert, The New Yorker, 19 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for kindling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for kindling
Noun
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McDowell further explained that the white streak was caused by the fuel dump from the upper stage at about 155 miles (250 kilometers) altitude.—
Daisy Dobrijevic,
Space.com,
19 May 2025
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Israel has blocked the entry of medical, food and fuel supplies into Gaza since the start of March to try to pressure Hamas into freeing Israeli hostages and has approved plans that could involve seizing the entire Gaza strip and controlling aid.—
Nidal al-Mughrabi,
USA Today,
18 May 2025
Verb
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The company built a retail and residential complex around the county’s Coconut Grove Metrorail station, and Martin also is pitching an incinerator site in western Miami-Dade as an alternative to the Levine Cava plan to rebuild the trash-burning facility in Doral.—
Douglas Hanks,
Miami Herald,
4 Jan. 2025
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Nearby sits a small wood-burning stove, which should be sufficient to heat the home.—
Adam Williams,
New Atlas,
3 Jan. 2025
Verb
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With Mercury stationing direct in Pisces — igniting your expressive fifth house of love, creativity and passion — everything from your hobbies to your romantic longings is getting back on track.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
7 Apr. 2025
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The Table Rock Fire has burned more than 13,000 acres total in South Carolina and North Carolina since igniting on March 21, the South Carolina Forestry Commission said Tuesday.—
Meredith Deliso,
ABC News,
1 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Gilmour has tested the rocket's engines and rehearsed the countdown last year, loading propellant and getting within 10 seconds of launch.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
16 May 2025
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The private security firm also linked it to a shipment of a chemical ingredient used to make missile propellant to the port.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
27 Apr. 2025
Noun
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However neither a wether delay or a temporary evacuation could dampen the crowd's sky-high energy throughout the night.—
Caché McClay,
USA Today,
18 May 2025
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Many of these actions have been part of the president’s larger goals of reining in government spending, increasing energy independence and restructuring federal agencies.—
Hayley Smith,
Los Angeles Times,
18 May 2025
Verb
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Stray animals are also at risk of suffering from heat exhaustion during scorching summers.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
Newsweek,
2 Jan. 2025
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Heat over medium heat, stirring frequently to avoid scorching the milk.—
Alana Al-Hatlani,
Southern Living,
28 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Expect this power shift to drive more M&A activity and deeper integrations between banks, fintech platforms, and lifestyle brands.—
Jeff Fromm,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2025
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Both Melling and Skarsgard show an intimate understanding of how the power dynamic between their characters works, but what gives Pillion its kick is the friction sparked when Colin starts wanting more.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
18 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Kindling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kindling. Accessed 25 May. 2025.
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