KINDLING Synonyms: 56 Similar and Opposite Words

kindling 1 of 2

noun

Definition of kindling

as in fuel

Related Words

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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

Then her husband, Kasoun, covers his hands in towels and picks up the metal tray with the kindling, bricks and clay pot and places it outside. — Diaa Hadid, NPR, 16 Apr. 2026 The Dodgers entered Saturday with the best record in MLB and leading the National League in several offensive categories, and the Texas Rangers continued to add kindling to the fire. — Dan Arritt, Oc Register, 12 Apr. 2026

Verb

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 Rather than have their payroll and egos be kindling for clubhouse dysfunction, the Dodgers have found a formula to keep their winning ways going. — Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for kindling

Recent Examples of Synonyms for kindling

Noun

Fundraising followed to raise just enough fuel to reach the next milestone.

— Michael Wee, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026
These supply-chain upheavals have mounted pressures on certain industries like aviation, where jet fuel costs have soared, and agriculture, which has dealt with shortages of key chemicals used in fertilizers as a result of Strait of Hormuz closures.

— Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of fuel

Verb

Instead of burning capital on traditional endorsement checks, KANE built its network organically across NBA rosters, 26 NFL franchises, and more than 60 college athletic programs, from Nebraska to Stanford to the University of Miami Hurricanes.

— Lilian Raji, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
All that fire in the air asks us to fan our own flames without burning it all down.

— Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of burning

Noun

The availability of propellant would be far greater there than in Boca Chica or Florida.

— Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 3 Aug. 2026
The German defense contractor is one of the world's largest ammunition manufacturers and one of the few manufacturers to cover the entire value chain, from the gunpowder propellant to the bullet casing.

— Elsa Ohlen,Greg Kennedy, CNBC, 23 July 2026

Definition of propellant

Verb

Through her writing, Bowser demonstrates her commitment to illuminating the untold, challenging perspectives and igniting conversations that resonate beyond the headlines.

— Martie Bowser, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey has been a lightning rod for controversy ever since the first casting and design reveals, igniting afresh with each new trailer.

— ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of igniting

Noun

Xi came to power after the 2008 protests in Tibet and deadly unrest in Xinjiang, another frontier region of modern China where ethnic minorities have long chafed under Beijing’s rule and witnessed a huge security crackdown.

— CNN Money, CNN Money, 2 Aug. 2026
Ultimately, both sides are jockeying for power after the war, given the unusual uncertainty brought on by the change in the supreme leadership.

— ABC News, ABC News, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of power

Verb

What were some of the biggest considerations for filming and lighting the underwater sequences?

— Matt Minton, Variety, 31 July 2026
The man is then seen lighting the red Corvette on fire but stays at the scene watching the car burn from across the street, according to police.

— Madisen Keavy, CBS News, 31 July 2026

Definition of lighting

Noun

These include rising bond yields, recent hawkish speeches, three July dissents from Fed policymakers and energy pricing remaining generally elevated.

— Simon Moore, Forbes.com, 30 July 2026
Over the first half of the year, the British energy major saw its profits balloon 70% compared with the year before.

— Salma Arafa, CNN Money, 30 July 2026

Definition of energy

Verb

The scorching Afrofuturist dystopian nightmare that told of decades of oppression to come (and of centuries past mired in it), was lost to time.

— Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 30 July 2026
Cook gently over low heat for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent scorching the bottom of the pot.

— Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 July 2026

Definition of scorching

Browse Nearby Words

kindliness

kindling

kindlings

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“Kindling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kindling. Accessed 4 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of kindling

noun

verb

Example Sentences

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