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
Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 29 Dec. 2025
Refrain from kindling fires with debris or any other materials during an air quality alert.
—Southern California Weather Report, Oc Register, 20 Dec. 2025
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
Even minor parks or embers might be carried into leaves or grass, kindling a fire that can swiftly expand.
—Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 29 Dec. 2025
Refrain from kindling fires with debris or any other materials during an air quality alert.
—Southern California Weather Report, Oc Register, 20 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for kindling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for kindling
Noun
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Multiple spills — including the 1997 Torch/Platform Irene spill, the 2007 San Francisco Bay Cosco Busan bunker fuel spill, and the 2021 Huntington Beach pipeline leak — have reinforced California’s argument that expanded drilling and aging pipelines pose ongoing environmental risks.—
James Ward,
USA Today,
15 May 2026
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Beyond core transportation infrastructure, some states also rely on revenues from fuel taxes to fund education, environmental initiatives and other public programs.—
Wyatte Grantham-Philips,
Chicago Tribune,
14 May 2026
Verb
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Boeing expects to generate between $1 billion to $3 billion of free cash flow in 2026, following back-to-back years of burning cash.—
Morgan Chittum,
CNBC,
12 May 2026
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The crew had to use another door to gain access to the burning home.—
Latoya Gayle,
PEOPLE,
12 May 2026
Noun
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The complex process requires two Starships equipped with docking adapters to meet in orbit to transfer hundreds of tons of super-cooled propellant.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
13 May 2026
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These materials include copper, aluminum oxide, and hydrogen fluoride, which is used as a propellant in some rocket engines.—
Leonard David,
Space.com,
13 May 2026
Verb
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In 1985, a confrontation between Philadelphia authorities and the radical group MOVE ended as a police helicopter dropped two bombs onto the group’s row house, igniting a fire that killed 11 people (including five children) and destroyed 61 homes.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
13 May 2026
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Continue reading … JET SWEAT SET — Marco Rubio spotted in Nike tracksuit aboard Air Force One during trip to China, igniting memes online.—
,
FOXNews.com,
13 May 2026
Noun
-
Bedside power outlets and ceiling fans add to the convenience.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 May 2026
-
The Avs finally got on the board via their second power-play chance on a Nathan MacKinnon goal that had an Artturi Lehkonen vibe to it.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
10 May 2026
Verb
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When that failed, she was accused of lighting a rolled‑up magazine and throwing it into the building.—
Doug Myers,
CBS News,
8 May 2026
-
Cleaning out our stormwater systems, sidewalk repairs and lighting in District 8 need investment to ensure safety and quality of life for all residents.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 May 2026
Noun
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Fuel shortages mean transporting goods is more expensive, so prices for energy, food, medicine and other basic items have also risen as supplies begin to dwindle.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
16 May 2026
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For cocktails and nightlife, hit TopGolf or Nola’s for live music then end the night strong with a table at HQ nightclub where resident and guest DJs keep the dance floor bumping and bottle servers keep the bubbly and energy flowing.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
16 May 2026
Verb
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If a strip feels warm to the touch or shows signs of scorching, replace it.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Charlotte Observer,
8 May 2026
-
Westerners, Arabs and Indians dominate business and finance, while laborers from poor countries in Asia and Africa toil for long hours in scorching temperatures at oil facilities and construction sites — often with few protections.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
4 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Kindling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kindling. Accessed 18 May. 2026.
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