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

Note how there is no dry, flammable kindling of commotion in us whenever thought is feeling the peace of being fixed on what God is and does. — Mark Swinney, Christian Science Monitor, 21 July 2026 That’s the flint, but that’s not the kindling. — Eric Thomas, Sun Sentinel, 28 June 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

Noun

Montanans are suffocating due to an affordability crisis, rising fuel prices and an inexplicable war.

— David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 13 Oct. 2026
Oil is big over there, and the two sides are targeting fuel operations, trying to destroy the war-making ability of the other.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of fuel

Verb

This way, truckers help pay for road improvements, and farmers--a big and influential electoral constituency--can work all day burning red fuel on their farms.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 10 Oct. 2026
Many have taken to the streets in towns and neighborhoods to protest the worsening situation, with roadblocks, tire-burning and residents holding up signs criticizing the government for not providing adequate solutions.

— Catherine Ellis, Miami Herald, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of burning

Noun

Raptors burn liquid methane and liquid oxygen (LOX), rather than rocket-grade kerosene and LOX like Merlins, so the new Starship-friendly 39A needs a new tank farm to feed in this different mix of propellant.

— Mike Wall, Space.com, 7 Oct. 2026
SpaceX uses methane in liquid form, along with liquid oxygen, as propellant for Starship’s Raptor engines.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of propellant

Verb

The airport was attacked again Sunday, igniting a fireand killing one person and injuring 11, Saudi aviation authorities said.

— Carolyn Hax, Washington Post, 11 Oct. 2026
Aerohart From there, the bulk of Aerohart's update work focuses on making the Aviator's Ember easier to hold and thereby more user-friendly for igniting tinder.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of igniting

Noun

Its boosted flat-six engine receives a power bump, and rear-axle steering is now standard, as are larger brakes with six-piston calipers up front.

— Bradley Iger, Robb Report, 16 Oct. 2026
Europe is now home to some of the most promising companies building clean power, while remaining an expensive place to buy it.

— Sophie Dembinski, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of power

Verb

The fixture can attach to any flat surface with stick-on adhesives in just seconds, so say goodbye to the days of dim bathroom lighting or cooking under gloomy overheads.

— Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 7 Oct. 2026
This technique, which consists of lighting a canvas from behind, confirmed the presence of the two women seated on the bench.

— Sarah Belmont, ARTnews.com, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of lighting

Noun

But fear not, Lisa will be channeling that energy into her art.

— Tom Smyth, Vulture, 15 Oct. 2026
It was deemed Biden’s signature climate law, providing hundreds of billions of dollars for tax credits and programs to bolster the clean energy sector (much of that funding was repealed by the 2025 One Big Beautiful Bill Act).

— Maydeen Merino, The Washington Examiner, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of energy

Verb

Check between presses to avoid overheating or scorching the fabric.

— Alexandra Emanuelli, Southern Living, 26 Sep. 2026
When Cody Turcotte arrived to fight a wildfire scorching homes in Spokane, Washington, last month, there weren't enough people at the scene to control it.

— Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of scorching

Browse Nearby Words

kindliness

kindling

kindlings

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Style

“Kindling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kindling. Accessed 16 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of kindling

noun

verb

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