kindling 1 of 2

noun

Definition of kindlingnext
as in fuel

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kindling

2 of 2

verb

present participle of kindle
as in burning
to set (something) on fire worried that lightning will kindle the forest in the drought-stricken nature preserve

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 kindling
Noun
That’s the flint but that’s not the kindling, however. — R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 28 June 2026 Hundreds of fires have started across southern and coastal Georgia, with dozens of new fires every day, and officials say drought conditions provided the kindling. — Irene Wright, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026
Verb
Which kindling splitter is best? — Bestreviews, Mercury News, 19 May 2026 The Lakers picked up steam down the stretch in the regular season, winning 16 of 18 heading into April and kindling hope of being a dark-horse candidate to give trouble to the Thunder or Spurs in the playoffs. — ABC News, 12 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for kindling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for kindling
  1. fuel
  2. burning
  3. propellant
  4. igniting
  5. power
  6. lighting
  7. energy
  8. scorching
Noun
  • Firefighters used foam from specialized airport firefighting units to extinguish the fire, and crews were still dealing with a fuel leak on the plane hours later.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 7 Sep. 2026
  • Higher fuel prices didn’t stop Americans from hitting the road this summer, but did end a multi-year streak of big spikes in travel.
    — Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of fuel
Verb
  • There was a time, not that long ago, when the average suburban street was full of unannounced drop-ins, the smell of burning charcoal, and scattered lawn chairs.
    — John Mac Ghlionn, Washington Post, 11 Sep. 2026
  • On his back, Saint Michael is forever emerging from a burning Jerusalem.
    — Stephen Rodrick, Rolling Stone, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of burning
Noun
  • The results should show whether CycloRP can provide comparable cooling performance while serving as the engine’s primary propellant.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Still, demonstrating the solar electric ion engine on SMART-1, which used inert xenon gas as a propellant, was the primary goal of the mission.
    — Tariq Malik, Space.com, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of propellant
Verb
  • Bowers dominated the Raiders’ defense in training camp, had success against a top Texans unit in their joint practice and is obviously the key to igniting the offense.
    — Matt Schneidman, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026
  • The index then roared back to life, igniting a blistering nine-week winning streak.
    — Morgan Chittum, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of igniting
Noun
  • But The Debut grows to become something altogether wilder, a fire-breathing encomium to the reality-altering power of acting.
    — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Singapore is leveraging its scarce land, energy, and population to bolster its regulatory and agenda-setting power over data centers and sustainability.
    — Brian Wong, Fortune, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of power
Verb
  • In recent court hearings, Abdulkarim’s reason for allegedly lighting the goods on fire has played a central role.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Meanwhile, a tripod model adds just the right amount of mood lighting to a living room.
    — Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of lighting
Noun
  • Researchers in the United States are shaping the nanoscience frontier, using atomic‑scale control to accelerate advances in electronics, energy storage, catalysis, sensing and medicine.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 10 Sep. 2026
  • Oil prices edged higher Thursday as worries over escalating tensions in the Middle East and their impact on energy supplies kept Brent crude above $100 a barrel.
    — Sawdah Bhaimiya, CNBC, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of energy
Verb
  • Only one other spacecraft, NASA’s Messenger, has explored the puzzling, scorching planet that is just a little bigger than our moon.
    — Marcia Dunn, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Prolonged periods of drought are scorching French pastures, leeching them of their usual lush green vitality and leaving behind parched, lifeless yellow fields.
    — Vivian Song, CNN Money, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of scorching

Browse Nearby Words

kindliness
kindling
kindlings
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Cite this Entry

“Kindling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kindling. Accessed 13 Sep. 2026.

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