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

That’s the flint, but that’s not the kindling. — Eric Thomas, Sun Sentinel, 28 June 2026 That’s the flint but that’s not the kindling, however. — R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 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

International travel demand has held up despite surging fuel prices, airline executives have said.

— Leslie Josephs, CNBC, 29 Sep. 2026
The agency also said that while new fuel-efficient vehicles cost more up front, savings on gasoline over the lifetime of the car or truck would more than make up for that.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of fuel

Verb

The 43-year-old, who is also an El Portal councilman, started the business over 15 years ago on little more than a shoestring and a burning desire to fill a growing void.

— Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 25 Sep. 2026
With natural gas prices soaring, burning coal for power generation has become more profitable than natural gas in major European power markets like Germany, even after accounting for higher carbon emissions costs.

— , CNBC, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of burning

Noun

For Starship to follow through on SpaceX’s promises, the company still needs to tackle technological hurdles like on-orbit fuel transfers and long-term cryogenic propellant storage in space, both of which Starship needs in order to fly beyond LEO.

— Josh Dinner, Space.com, 26 Sep. 2026
This was more common in decades past, but some launches today still do not reserve enough propellant to properly deorbit a second or third stage.

— Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of propellant

Verb

Starship uses hot staging, igniting its upper-stage engines before the booster’s engines have completely shut down.

— Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 27 Sep. 2026
When Russia invaded its far smaller neighbor in February 2022, igniting Europe’s deadliest war in generations, he was galvanized.

— Vivienne Walt, Fortune, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of igniting

Noun

This time, the TPLF appears to have mobilized widely, bringing together former foes in its stated goal of removing Abiy from power in Addis Ababa, the federal capital.

— SAMUEL GETACHEW, Arkansas Online, 25 Sep. 2026
Traditional wireless systems present challenges for very small implants because their antennas and power requirements can increase device size.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of power

Verb

Hundreds of others were there lighting small squat candles in their cedar-plank lanterns.

— Tim Carter, Hartford Courant, 26 Sep. 2026
Members of the Aurora Emergency Management Agency assisted with traffic control and scene lighting throughout the investigation.

— Aurora Beacon-News, Chicago Tribune, 18 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

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
These hardy plants withstand extreme weather, from scorching heat to harsh winters.

— Abby Monteil, The Spruce, 16 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 1 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of kindling

noun

verb

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