kindling 1 of 2

noun

Definition of kindlingnext
as in fuel

Related Words

Relevance

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
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 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
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
  1. fuel
  2. burning
  3. propellant
  4. igniting
  5. power
  6. lighting
  7. energy
  8. scorching
Noun
  • Over the weekend, the oil company said drone strikes had hit a fuel tank and a desalination plant linked to the oil facilities in Zawiya.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Despite a series of calls that slowed the game down late in the quarter, the Dream used it as fuel to increase their communication and finish strong.
    — Micahya Costen, AJC.com, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of fuel
Verb
  • Rooms at the Villa Miloer have ethanol-burning fireplaces, potted orchids, and cocoa silk-tweed sofas with suede pillows.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Aug. 2026
  • This means guests have panoramic views of Three Mile Harbor, while inside, high ceilings and a wood-burning fireplace offer a relaxing atmosphere year-round.
    — Elise Taylor, Vogue, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of burning
Noun
  • After four years of orbiting Mars, the orbiter ran out of attitude-control propellant, so NASA had to shut it down.
    — Tariq Malik, Space.com, 7 Aug. 2026
  • The availability of propellant would be far greater there than in Boca Chica or Florida.
    — Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of propellant
Verb
  • Now, authorities say a man is responsible for starting one of those fires — and has admitted to igniting multiple previous blazes in the same area dating back to last year, according to prosecutors.
    — Cindy Von Quednow, CNN Money, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Evacuation orders were lifted Saturday morning for the Ridge fire that jumped over the 5 Freeway on Friday afternoon after igniting in Gorman, prompting lane closures and heavy traffic delays through the Grapevine.
    — Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of igniting
Noun
  • His brand shone as a symbol of national pride and soft power.
    — Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Damianos also hailed the entry of French investment company Meridiam as a backer to the Great Seas Interconnector project, an electricity cable that will connect Europe’s power grid with that of Cyprus and eventually Israel.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of power
Verb
  • That means this man consults for everyone from automakers to the Canadian government because the man knows lighting.
    — Joel Feder, The Drive, 5 Aug. 2026
  • At 96 feet long, these are excellent for lighting larger outdoor spaces.
    — Brittany VanDerBill, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of lighting
Noun
  • Many agree that the surge in data centers, not Illinois clean energy law, is the primary cause of skyrocketing power prices across power grid operator PJM’s 13-state footprint.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Defensiveness extends conversations, weakens credibility and drains emotional energy that could have been directed toward solving problems.
    — Rodger Dean Duncan, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of energy
Verb
  • The scorching temperatures and persistent droughts in June and July mutually reinforced each other to create a hot weather spiral, according to Samantha Burgess, strategic lead for climate at the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts.
    — Lex Harvey, CNN Money, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Offering optimal freedom of movement and endless styling, the Lomon Wide-leg Capri Pants instantly elevate any outfit while keeping you cool and comfortable on scorching travel days when any other bottoms start to cling.
    — Julia Morlino, Travel + Leisure, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of scorching

Browse Nearby Words

kindliness
kindling
kindlings
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on kindling

Nglish: Translation of kindling for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of salvo

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Words of the Week - Aug. 14

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
fridge-magnet-letters
Drop a Letter Quiz August 2026 Drop a letter from a word to make a totally diffe...
See All