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
Isabel Debre, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026
The lint will light quickly and get your kindling off to a good start.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 3 Feb. 2026
Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2026
Even minor parks or embers might be carried into leaves or grass, kindling a fire that can swiftly expand.
—Kansas City Star Weather Bot, Kansas City Star, 21 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for kindling
Noun
The invasive species have replaced native, more fire-resistant ecosystems in the region, turning shrub, brush and grass into kindling.
—Isabel Debre, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026
The lint will light quickly and get your kindling off to a good start.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 3 Feb. 2026
Verb
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
Even minor parks or embers might be carried into leaves or grass, kindling a fire that can swiftly expand.
—Kansas City Star Weather Bot, Kansas City Star, 21 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for kindling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for kindling
Noun
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The country's blockade has throttled traffic through the channel, driving up fuel prices and threatening the global economy.—
Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy,
USA Today,
19 June 2026
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After weeks of overnight fuel thefts, Rocklin police arrested a suspect during an early Thursday traffic stop, the department announced.—
Reeti Malhotra,
Sacbee.com,
19 June 2026
Verb
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Video shared by a witness from the scene showed emergency responders attempting to crack open the plane’s windshield as authorities and bystanders assisted several people out of the burning aircraft.—
Diego Mendoza,
CNN Money,
17 June 2026
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At the same time, that quote and Ruth’s attitude also implies that nothing can be done to extinguish the fire in the perpetually burning building.—
Jen Chaney,
Vulture,
17 June 2026
Noun
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The Ariane 6 got some extra oomph on this flight from four strap-on, solid-propellant P160C boosters.—
Mike Wall,
Space.com,
17 June 2026
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Beyond storing propellant, the structure also serves a dual purpose as a load-bearing component of the spacecraft, effectively becoming part of the vehicle’s frame and improving overall mass efficiency.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
14 June 2026
Verb
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While thousands were unable to cheer from the sidelines, jubilation reverberated beyond the parade route, igniting a sense of togetherness in the city.—
Josh Feldman,
NBC news,
19 June 2026
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The story is set in Miami’s most exclusive neighborhood, where a picture-perfect wife uncovers her husband’s double life – igniting a seductive power game that turns betrayal into the most intoxicating game of her life.—
Justin Kroll,
Deadline,
18 June 2026
Noun
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To put these figures in perspective, the entire city of San Francisco consumes about 1 gigawatt of power.—
Rob Toews,
Forbes.com,
22 June 2026
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The Hermosa Beach Pier closed Sunday morning after a truck collided with nearby power lines.—
Matthew Rodriguez,
CBS News,
22 June 2026
Verb
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After more talk of intimate moments that occurred during the shoot, and a few anecdotes about nipples, Shaver then redirected the conversation, lighting things up in her characteristic way.—
Elaina Patton,
IndieWire,
16 June 2026
-
Have only one person lighting fireworks.—
Jeff Wagner,
CBS News,
16 June 2026
Noun
-
Creative energy simmers beneath the surface, waiting for the right moment to be expressed.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
20 June 2026
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The measures would open sectors such as banking, energy, and real estate development to private capital and foreign companies.—
Ivan Taylor,
CBS News,
20 June 2026
Verb
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France put emergency services and military forces on wildfire alert, restricted public alcohol consumption and canceled some outdoor sports events to cope with a heat wave scorching parts of Europe.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
21 June 2026
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Backed by just a DJ (Dazedgxd, who opened the set) and a retina-scorching light rig up front, Jane acknowledged on Thursday that the stakes were getting much higher.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
19 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Kindling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kindling. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.
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