kindling 1 of 2

noun

Definition of kindlingnext
as in fuel

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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
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
  • The resumption of Saudi exports could help ease tight supply of heavier grades that produce more residue fuel which ⁠can be used to refuel ships or processed further at refineries, to yield higher quality fuels such as gasoline and diesel.
    — August 18, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Ukraine has been significantly expanding its long-range strikes deep into Russia in recent months, with prime targets including urban centers, fuel processing facilities, logistics hubs and military sites.
    — David Brennan, ABC News, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of fuel
Verb
  • That giant wood burning fireplace is the perfect spot to enjoy a whiskey, neat.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Aug. 2026
  • In one 1989 case, the Supreme Court ruled that burning the American flag is protected by the First Amendment.
    — Grace Hase, Mercury News, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of burning
Noun
  • This includes rocket stages, ground support equipment, propellant-loading hardware, flight control systems, range-safety electronics, and telemetry-tracking units.
    — David Szondy August 15, New Atlas, 15 Aug. 2026
  • The basic problems its engineers solved- high-pressure propellant feed, combustion, cooling, and guidance- became fundamental challenges of modern rocketry.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of propellant
Verb
  • Prosecutors this week unveiled a new indictment against the man accused of igniting last year’s deadly fire in the Palisades, nixing one of the three original charges and revising the other two after a mistrial in federal court this summer.
    — Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2026
  • The potential lightning strikes would also pose an immediate risk of igniting new wildfires across dry inland terrain and vegetation.
    — Carlos E. Castañeda, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of igniting
Noun
  • Since Chinese leader Xi Jinping came to power in 2012, many aspects of personal life for members of the Communist Party or the state sector, from divorce to travel and social activities, have come under increasing scrutiny.
    — Sylvie Zhuang, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2026
  • The genius villain is telepathic and has several powers, including superhuman strength, telekinesis, energy projection, shapeshifting and teleportation.
    — Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of power
Verb
  • While sharing her beauty secrets with Vogue, the Bollywood star sets the mood by lighting a Dolce & Gabbana candle.
    — Jenny Berg, Vogue, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Jarvis spent nearly three and a half years in state custody after being charged with arson for lighting his stepdad’s three-wheeler on fire.
    — Paige Pfleger, ProPublica, 12 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
  • Pyroclastic flows – fast-moving clouds of scorching gas, ash, and rock – could devastate territory near the caldera.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 12 Aug. 2026
  • The event unfolded against the backdrop of scorching summer temperatures and wildfires, and Spanish officials rolled out a large public safety campaign.
    — Suman Naishadham, Chicago Tribune, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of scorching

Browse Nearby Words

kindliness
kindling
kindlings
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Cite this Entry

“Kindling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kindling. Accessed 19 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of kindling for Spanish Speakers

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