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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of kindling
Julia Frankel, Fortune, 23 Jan. 2026
Yet skepticism about the lofty valuations and massive spending plans of major AI players had been building like a pile of dry kindling.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 29 Dec. 2025
Southern California Weather Report, Oc Register, 20 Dec. 2025
In some instances, the amygdala is doing the opposite of kindling fear—instead, trying to quell fear, and in doing so, inhibits breathing.
—Julia Daye, Popular Science, 3 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for kindling
Noun
The United Nations says unexploded shells and missiles are everywhere in Gaza, posing a threat to people searching through rubble to find their relatives, belongings, and kindling.
—Julia Frankel, Fortune, 23 Jan. 2026
Yet skepticism about the lofty valuations and massive spending plans of major AI players had been building like a pile of dry kindling.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 29 Dec. 2025
Verb
Refrain from kindling fires with debris or any other materials during an air quality alert.
—Southern California Weather Report, Oc Register, 20 Dec. 2025
In some instances, the amygdala is doing the opposite of kindling fear—instead, trying to quell fear, and in doing so, inhibits breathing.
—Julia Daye, Popular Science, 3 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for kindling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for kindling
Noun
-
Higher diesel and jet fuel prices are impacting the cost of shipping, meaning everything from food and clothes to toys is subject to higher prices.—
Austin Carter,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
-
In Kuwait, local media reported that fuel depots of the Kuwait International Airport were set on fire on Wednesday following an attack by an Iranian drone, causing significant damage.—
NPR Staff,
NPR,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Nearly 97 percent of female respondents reported burning sensations during urination, while 45 percent described amber to brown urine—a sign of dehydration and possible kidney strain.—
Jasmin Malik Chua,
Sourcing Journal,
31 Mar. 2026
-
In the poor quarters of New Delhi, households struggling to pay for gas fired up chulhas, old-school wood-burning stoves, and hoped their tinder supplies held.—
Nathan Heller,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Then problems arose with the upper stage propellant pressurization system.—
Miles Doran,
CBS News,
1 Apr. 2026
-
For the most part, the remainder of the fueling process will involve replenishing and topping off liquid oxygen fuel, but a significant chunk of the work to get more than 700,000 gallons of cryogenic propellant into the booster is done.—
Charlie Gile,
NBC news,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The hammer caused a firing pin to strike the base of a cartridge, igniting the primer and firing the bullet.—
Simon Akam,
Vanity Fair,
2 Apr. 2026
-
The highly controversial policy is igniting a flurry of comments both for and against the new rules.—
Jessica Mekles,
FOXNews.com,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
In a social media post on Monday morning, Kuwait said a service building at a power generation and water desalination plant were damaged in an attack Sunday evening, killing one worker.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
30 Mar. 2026
-
In January, another Polymarket account won big by betting that Nicolás Maduro, the President of Venezuela, would soon be out of power.—
John Cassidy,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Fraser and his team ended up building lighting rigs using old tungsten lights — a lot of them.—
Jazz Tangcay,
Variety,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Unlike the Dark Mount, this unit doesn’t have lighting around the sides of the keyboard, but to me at least, that's no big deal.—
Aubrey Jowers,
PC Magazine,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Your natural warmth should return after a short recharge, giving you the energy to handle any ongoing matters.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Daisie, 14, full of laughter and positive energy, is a one-of-a-kind personality.—
The Star
April 4,
Kansas City Star,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
However, it must be shielded from scorching sun.—
Joshua Siskin,
Oc Register,
28 Mar. 2026
-
That series sent her through icy Arctic conditions, dense jungles, and scorching deserts — all within one calendar year, across multiple continents.—
Samantha Agate,
Charlotte Observer,
25 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Kindling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kindling. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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