as in to burn
to set (something) on fire
worried that lightning will kindle the forest in the drought-stricken nature preserve
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Recent Examples of kindle
Even minor parks or embers might be carried into leaves or grass, kindling a fire that can swiftly expand.
—
Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 1 July 2025
These seemingly innocuous actions can kindle dry grass, potentially triggering a wildfire.
—Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 30 June 2025
Everything in the store is kindling, and the metal shelving hems in what’s becoming a human fire-pit.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 27 June 2025
If the Golden State can’t find ways to move more quickly toward climate-friendly energy, then the oppressively hot, dry conditions that kindle deadly fires will almost certainly keep getting worse.
Bringing down electric rates, meanwhile, is crucial to climate progress.
—Sammy Roth, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for kindle
Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 1 July 2025
These seemingly innocuous actions can kindle dry grass, potentially triggering a wildfire.
—Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 30 June 2025
Everything in the store is kindling, and the metal shelving hems in what’s becoming a human fire-pit.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 27 June 2025
If the Golden State can’t find ways to move more quickly toward climate-friendly energy, then the oppressively hot, dry conditions that kindle deadly fires will almost certainly keep getting worse.
Bringing down electric rates, meanwhile, is crucial to climate progress.
—Sammy Roth, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for kindle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for kindle
Verb
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The pair, who met as college undergrads, both burned with idealism and recognized their privilege could be leveraged for a game-changing idea.—
Carole Horst,
Variety,
13 Sep. 2023
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The Ellen MacArthur Foundation promotes circular fashion and says that, in the United States, an amount of clothing equal to a garbage truck is ferried to landfills or burned every second.—
Neeti Mehra,
Treehugger,
13 Sep. 2023
Verb
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In an oxygen-rich environment, the fire will ignite more readily, spread more rapidly and burn at higher temperatures.—
Alexandra Koch,
FOXNews.com,
23 July 2025
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The cover, in which Carpenter is seen kneeling on the ground, one hand extended toward a figure in a suit who’s grabbing her hair, ignited debates online about whether the photo signified female empowerment or empowered the male gaze.—
Charisma Madarang,
Rolling Stone,
23 July 2025
Verb
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However, the set up casts light far beyond the highway, extending onto beaches even 12 miles away, including Little St. Simons and Sapelo.—
Julianna Bragg,
CNN Money,
26 July 2025
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Earlier this week, McIntyre lit into Scott with some NSFW criticisms of the rapper, a sign that WWE’s relationship with Scott was on the ropes.—
Blake Oestriecher,
Forbes.com,
26 July 2025
Verb
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The Nationals’ selection came a week after the organization fired manager Dave Martinez and general manager Mike Rizzo.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
14 July 2025
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Apparently, Señor Musk is now working for the government and firing a lot of people from their jobs—and really enjoying it.—
Larry David,
New Yorker,
14 July 2025
Verb
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While most of the fire has burned across eastern Utah, more than 1,800 acres of Colorado land have been torched.—
Katie Langford,
Denver Post,
19 July 2025
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But then a dangerous shift in the weather occurred, turning the seemingly low-risk fire into a fast-moving blaze that jumped containment lines and torched dozens of buildings in the park over the weekend, including a historic lodge.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
17 July 2025
Verb
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Potassium deficiency causes yellowing and scorching along leaf edges, weak stems, and interveinal chlorosis, a yellowing between the leaf veins.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
22 July 2025
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Take it from someone who easily melts in the scorching heat and humidity — linen clothing is your best option for staying cool all summer.—
Emily Weaver,
People.com,
19 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Kindle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kindle. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
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