as in increasing
to make greater in size, amount, or number
hopefully, offering stock options will stoke workers' commitment to the company
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Recent Examples of stoking
In economics, if productivity is strong, then growth can run hot without stoking inflation — this means the Fed doesn’t have to step in with interest rate hikes.
—
Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 15 Feb. 2026
The United Arab Emirates reportedly funded a camp in Ethiopia to train fighters of a Sudanese militia, a further sign of foreign powers stoking Sudan’s yearslong civil war.
—Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 10 Feb. 2026
The tactics are stoking further fear and distrust in immigrant communities, prompting residents to question strangers at their doors.
—Jake Offenhartz, Los Angeles Times, 8 Feb. 2026
The Patriots and Seahawks will meet again on Sunday, in Super Bowl LX, stoking memories of their go-round.
—Jeff Howe, New York Times, 7 Feb. 2026
The Federal Emergency Management Agency will resume staff cuts that were briefly paused during January’s severe winter storm, according to two FEMA managers, stoking concern across the agency over its ability to address disasters with fewer workers.
—Gabriela Aoun Angueira, Chicago Tribune, 6 Feb. 2026
This will be our last week stoking the fires.
—David Ferrara, Cincinnati Enquirer, 4 Feb. 2026
But the already-complex Super Bowl picture is further clouded by tensions and palpable fears about Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents descending on the area, stoking fear with immigrant communities who have seen more aggressive and visible ICE activity at South Bay courthouses and jails.
—Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 4 Feb. 2026
Pezeshkian has blamed the West and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for stoking tensions within Iran, the country’s Student News Network, a hard-line news website close to the regime, reported Saturday.
—Freddie Clayton, NBC news, 31 Jan. 2026
Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 15 Feb. 2026
The United Arab Emirates reportedly funded a camp in Ethiopia to train fighters of a Sudanese militia, a further sign of foreign powers stoking Sudan’s yearslong civil war.
—Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 10 Feb. 2026
The tactics are stoking further fear and distrust in immigrant communities, prompting residents to question strangers at their doors.
—Jake Offenhartz, Los Angeles Times, 8 Feb. 2026
The Patriots and Seahawks will meet again on Sunday, in Super Bowl LX, stoking memories of their go-round.
—Jeff Howe, New York Times, 7 Feb. 2026
The Federal Emergency Management Agency will resume staff cuts that were briefly paused during January’s severe winter storm, according to two FEMA managers, stoking concern across the agency over its ability to address disasters with fewer workers.
—Gabriela Aoun Angueira, Chicago Tribune, 6 Feb. 2026
This will be our last week stoking the fires.
—David Ferrara, Cincinnati Enquirer, 4 Feb. 2026
But the already-complex Super Bowl picture is further clouded by tensions and palpable fears about Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents descending on the area, stoking fear with immigrant communities who have seen more aggressive and visible ICE activity at South Bay courthouses and jails.
—Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 4 Feb. 2026
Pezeshkian has blamed the West and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for stoking tensions within Iran, the country’s Student News Network, a hard-line news website close to the regime, reported Saturday.
—Freddie Clayton, NBC news, 31 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stoking
Verb
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Fresh concrete is visible at both the western and eastern entrances, increasing protection that could help shield the facility from potential airstrikes, alongside trucks and other construction equipment at the site.—
Farida Elsebai,
CNN Money,
20 Feb. 2026
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Coupled with large reductions to downtown trophy buildings and ever-increasing tax levies from local governments, bills that landed late last year enraged many homeowners.—
A.D. Quig,
Chicago Tribune,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The galaxies will dissociate and disappear, leaving only isolated masses expanding away from one another, with no energy left to extract.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
20 Feb. 2026
-
The hotel recently joined Wyndham Hotels and Resorts as part of the Trademark Collection, expanding its global reach while maintaining its independent spirit.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Soriot rejects the idea that his investments in China risk accelerating the disruption of the science base in the UK and Europe.—
Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson,
semafor.com,
20 Feb. 2026
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In the fourth quarter, revenues in the region were up 11 percent at constant currency, accelerating on the previous quarter, despite a challenging comparable base.—
Luisa Zargani,
Footwear News,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The Texas agriculture commissioner's sole mission is to advocate for the state's agriculture industry, including boosting the economy.—
Briauna Brown,
CBS News,
18 Feb. 2026
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The council’s Rules Committee praised the proposal, which was presented by Councilmember Raul Campillo, for its goal of boosting transparency and avoiding resident sticker shock.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The fork in the road was right there in front of them, one a direction of resetting, one of augmenting.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
7 Feb. 2026
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Preservation was part of the conversation when the two connected, but both were also focused on revitalization and augmenting the structure’s old-world charms with something fresh and modern.—
Lina Lecaro,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
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But what was really baffling was Cronin’s claim that the questioner was raising his voice.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Feb. 2026
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That reality means balancing work, wellness and raising her young son, which has become the foundation for her latest collaboration with Fabletics.—
Casey DelBasso,
ABC News,
19 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stoking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stoking. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
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