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
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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
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
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Supply disruptions have also hit hard in Europe and Africa, where countries are responding to rising fuel costs and a considerable threat to food security.—
Sam Meredith,
CNBC,
5 June 2026
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Chemical thrusters burn fuel fast and generate a powerful, rapid thrust that is key for changing orbit in seconds.—
Omar Kardoudi
June 05,
New Atlas,
5 June 2026
Verb
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Just seconds later, local residents recorded on their cellphones the initial stages of the Eaton fire, burning at the base of the tower, known as M16T1.—
Tony Saavedra,
Daily News,
10 June 2026
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The 24-year-old’s burning desire, elite athleticism, and an electrifying season at Triple-A Albuquerque busted down the big-league door.—
Patrick Saunders,
Denver Post,
10 June 2026
Noun
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The breakthrough came from the US Air Force, which had spent years developing a propellant called ASCENT (Advanced SpaceCraft Energetic Non-Toxic propellant) as a greener replacement for hydrazine, a highly toxic chemical traditionally used in spacecraft propulsion.—
Omar Kardoudi
June 05,
New Atlas,
5 June 2026
-
And then there is the intricate tubing that provides gas and liquids to fill not just the rocket’s propellant tanks but also smaller pressurized vessels throughout the vehicle for various purposes.—
Eric Berger,
ArsTechnica,
3 June 2026
Verb
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Trump has effectively imposed a fuel blockade on the island by threatening tariffs on countries supplying it with fuel, igniting seemingly endless power outages and delivering new blows to the island's already ailing economy.—
Phil Stewart,
USA Today,
30 May 2026
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Video of the incident shows the engines apparently igniting, followed by flames shooting up the rocket’s exterior.—
Lee Billings,
Scientific American,
29 May 2026
Noun
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Federal officials this year sent water from the upstream Flaming Gorge Reservoir to Lake Powell to stave off an emergency where water levels in the lower reservoir fall so low that water no longer flows through the dam’s power turbines — the only safe way to release water for extended periods.—
Elise Schmelzer,
Denver Post,
7 June 2026
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That still left a lot of the two-time league champion’s star power exposed to be plucked by the four new teams looking to fill rosters.—
Tom Carothers,
Twin Cities,
7 June 2026
Verb
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In a criminal complaint, authorities allege Rinderknecht caused the initial fire by lighting a combustible material, such as vegetation or paper, with an open flame, likely a lighter.—
Meredith Deliso,
ABC News,
8 June 2026
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Light Your Pathways Both Ervin and Morris recommend lighting the pathways that lead from the driveway or street to the front door using path lights.—
Sarah Lyon,
The Spruce,
8 June 2026
Noun
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If the superfund template survives, the next decade of American energy policy will be written by trial lawyers, attorneys general and a handful of out-of-state philanthropies bankrolling the litigation pipeline.—
Yaël Ossowski,
Boston Herald,
30 May 2026
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The Maoists’ shrinking realm sits atop rich veins of coal, iron, and bauxite – resources essential to India’s modernization and growing energy demands; Modi’s pledge to bring electricity to every household; and his broader ambition to transform India into a developed nation.—
Dhruv Tikekar,
CNN Money,
30 May 2026
Verb
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Fans see scorching numbers at Triple-A Albuquerque and clamor for promotions.—
Patrick Saunders,
Denver Post,
7 June 2026
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Luckily for England, Kane was scorching hot in 2025-26, scoring 61 goals for Bayern Munich across all competitions.—
Justin Birnbaum,
Sportico.com,
4 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Kindling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kindling. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.
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