as in fuel
Related Words
Relevance
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
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
-
The Sevastopol resident – who did not want to be named for safety reasons – told CNN there was no fuel at gas stations, but that public transport was still running.
-
The Smoking River Brewing Company nearby is your best option for post-hike fuel, with brick oven pizza, beer, live music, and bingo.
Verb
-
The fire at a cold storage facility in Boyle Heights began burning Wednesday, hours after Bass departed for the dedication of the Barack Obama Presidential Center in Chicago.
-
The heat has been amplified by climate change, driven by humans burning fossil fuels.
Noun
-
Technicians will also load Roman with about 290 gallons (1,100 liters) of hypergolic hydrazine fuel, which will power the satellite's thrusters for delivery to its final orbit and small positional adjustments during the ten or more years the propellant is expected to last.
-
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.
Verb
-
Defense attorney Steve Haney has pointed out investigators never proved how the fire started or presented any direct evidence of Rinderknecht igniting the blaze.
-
Rio de Janeiro’s Military Fire Department said that one of the helicopters crashed into a car dealership, where several electric vehicles were parked, igniting a fire that was extinguished, the AP reported.
Noun
-
How to prepare before strong winds approach Trim tree branches away from your house and power lines.
-
He was raised in Tiberias and Eilat, outside Israel’s traditional centers of power and influence.
Verb
-
Opt for sconces and hanging lights, rather than lamps or lighting pieces that take up floorspace.
-
The key difference is that rather than suggesting preset visuals, the AI Camera Assistant is ostensibly reacting to the scene, subject, and lighting to dynamically suggest the best alterations for that specific moment — that’s the AI of it all.
Noun
-
Name the worry out loud, then choose a small boundary that protects your energy, such as turning off notifications during a demanding task.
-
The episode could add further political momentum behind decarbonization, climate adaptation, electrification, and energy-efficiency investment.
Verb
-
Since Dylan’s death in 2011, hundreds more children in the UK have drowned seeking relief from scorching temperatures in rivers, lakes, reservoirs and quarries.
-
The rest of the week will be scorching hot with highs reaching the upper 90s and 100s.
Cite this Entry
“Kindling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kindling. Accessed 29 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
