KINDLING Synonyms: 56 Similar and Opposite Words

kindling 1 of 2

noun

Definition of kindling

as in fuel

Related Words

Relevance

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

Its pre-drilled holes allow for proper drainage, preventing the kindling from storing moisture and rotting. — Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Aug. 2026 Note how there is no dry, flammable kindling of commotion in us whenever thought is feeling the peace of being fixed on what God is and does. — Mark Swinney, Christian Science Monitor, 21 July 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

That pulse crushes the fuel, driving its atoms to unite and release their own huge amount of energy, whose nature and effects scientists can study.

— Sarah Scoles, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
The investment was intended to support reactor design, licensing, and development of a nuclear fuel manufacturing facility in Oak Ridge, Tennessee.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of fuel

Verb

What’s less known is that indoor activity — cooking, keeping pets, burning candles and spraying perfumes — generates pollutants and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), Jennings adds.

— Tracy Achonwa, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2026
In 2006, the Charger stormed the market as a rubber-burning full-size sedan that gained muscle over the years, culminating in a 797-horsepower variant.

— Matt Degen, AJC.com, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of burning

Noun

According to Jeremy Parsons, the manager of the Artemis Program for NASA, such an orbit a few hundred km above the Moon would significantly reduce the propellant needed by Blue Moon to bring astronauts down to the lunar surface and back up.

— Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 23 Oct. 2026
Such a propellant transfer will be necessary to get the hefty Starship to the moon.

— Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of propellant

Verb

Containment on the Bryson fire, which has scorched 147 acres near Encinal Canyon Road since igniting on Thursday, increased to 52% Saturday morning.

— Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026
Another wildfire to the south has burned more than 3,000 acres near the Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton since igniting Thursday afternoon, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire).

— Eduardo Cuevas, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of igniting

Noun

Ukrainians are bracing for the bitterly cold months ahead as the recent escalation in Russian attacks targets the power grid to deny civilians heat, light and running water.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 23 Oct. 2026
Simply put, to stay economically competitive, America needs computing power that matches or beats its adversaries’.

— Neil Chatterjee, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of power

Verb

Rather than lighting an entire room, try task lighting like reading lamps, under-the-cabinet light strips, and desk lamps that illuminate a workspace.

— Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 17 Oct. 2026
The interiors mix traditional details with more modern, glamorous touches, including oak floors, custom wallpaper, and lighting by Armani, Ralph Pucci, and Allison Berger.

— Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of lighting

Noun

The American consumer, who accounts for about 70% of GDP, continues to buy stuff, but many are stressed by energy prices, wage stagnation, rising interest rates, and an affordability crisis in everything from health care to housing.

— Diane Brady, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2026
Possible targets of the strikes reportedly include Iran’s energy infrastructure, nuclear facilities, and missile and drone arsenal.

— Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of energy

Verb

Its advanced technology generates precise light pulses that cut through delicate materials such as computer chips and human tissue without scorching surrounding tissue.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 20 Oct. 2026
Tina Snow thrives in the winter, but Megan Thee Stallion is scorching in October.

— Michael Saponara, Billboard, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of scorching

Browse Nearby Words

kindliness

kindling

kindlings

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Kindling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kindling. Accessed 25 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of kindling

noun

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

emissary

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Can' vs. 'May'

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Oct. 23

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes