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

There's a certain simple logic to the thought of bringing down the price of fuel by banning its export.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 6 Oct. 2026
The fuel is marked with a small amount of red dye, so that inspectors can distinguish it from regular diesel.

— Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of fuel

Verb

The intersection was littered with burning car parts, streaks of blood stained the asphalt, and black smoke filled the sky.

— James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026
To help consumers make informed decisions about the health risks associated with gas-burning appliances, the state should require commonsense warning labels on gas equipment that explain how gas appliances may affect indoor air quality and health.

— Carol J. Williams, Chicago Tribune, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of burning

Noun

These include propellant tanks, engine nozzles, nose cones, thermal payload fairings and advanced deployable solar arrays.

— Harvey Stober, CNBC, 2 Oct. 2026
Teams devised an unprecedented bit of spaceship surgery to replace the valve without draining the propellant and disassembling the spacecraft, steps that would have triggered a much longer delay.

— Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of propellant

Verb

The discovery is the latest instance of CDE leadership telling employees bedbugs are not in the building, only for more to be discovered at a later date and igniting doubt among CDE’s workforce on whether treatment is effective.

— Corey Schmidt, Sacbee.com, 3 Oct. 2026
The fracas has only elevated the film’s profile, with every tweet that Musk has fired off igniting a new wave of coverage.

— Brent Lang, IndieWire, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of igniting

Noun

Just ask the Taliban, now back in charge in Afghanistan after being driven from power.

— Rachel Marsden, Hartford Courant, 2 Oct. 2026
That’s not to mention what could be a massively consequential midterm election, fueled by AI anxiety among voters, that could test the bounds of their power.

— Ashley Gold, semafor.com, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of power

Verb

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
Guests can see the furniture, materials, and lighting under discussion, then walk the district to the next event.

— John Wogan, Travel + Leisure, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of lighting

Noun

One highlight for me was my session with an energy healer named Djik Dewa, who balances out the body’s chakras with gentle massage, chanting, and deep eye contact—a disconcerting but powerful experience.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Oct. 2026
Alito said he was not required to recuse himself and that the energy shares in question were inherited by his wife.

— Callie Patteson, The Washington Examiner, 1 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 7 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of kindling

noun

verb

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