KINDLING Synonyms: 56 Similar and Opposite Words

kindling 1 of 2

noun

Definition of kindling

as in fuel

Related Words

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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

That’s the flint but that’s not the kindling, however. — R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 28 June 2026 Hundreds of fires have started across southern and coastal Georgia, with dozens of new fires every day, and officials say drought conditions provided the kindling. — Irene Wright, USA Today, 28 Apr. 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

JetZero says its unusual configuration could reduce fuel consumption and emissions by as much as 50% compared with conventional aircraft carrying the same number of passengers.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 31 Aug. 2026
That means Roman’s onboard fuel could instead help extend the observatory’s five-year mission to a full decade.

— Lee Billings, Scientific American, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of fuel

Verb

The Ross Fire burning west of Fort Worth in Palo Pinto County appears to be holding steady at around 85,000 acres and 26% containment Friday, according to Texas A&M Forest Service officials.

— Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Aug. 2026
Planet-heating emissions from burning fossil fuels such as oil, gas and coal are the primary driver of climate change.

— Ava Berger, NPR, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of burning

Noun

There is also helium-3 extraction, rocket propellant, orbital compute, and in-space manufacturing.

— Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 28 Aug. 2026
Chinese commercial firm Galactic Energy is ready for a first orbital launch attempt with its Pallas-1 liquid propellant launch vehicle, Space News reports.

— Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of propellant

Verb

Napier’s fate was effectively sealed in 2025 when defensive tackle Brendan Bett was penalized and ejected for spitting on a USF player, igniting the Bulls’ game-winning drive.

— Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Aug. 2026
However, data show that roads actually tend to increase the risk of fires igniting.

— Patrick Parenteau, The Conversation, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of igniting

Noun

As Itauma continued attempting to throw power punches, Hrgović knew his opponent had nothing left and went for the kill.

— Sarah Shephard, New York Times, 30 Aug. 2026
The last act before festival founder Olivia Rodrigo, Roan turned it out with all of her powers—bolstered by a bold and bitchy, razor-sharp bob.

— Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of power

Verb

Since Harald's death Friday morning, tens of thousands of Norwegians have expressed their grief by laying flowers, writing cards and lighting candles in front of the royal palace in Oslo, where the coffin arrived late Friday from the hospital.

— ABC News, ABC News, 30 Aug. 2026
The production has a terrific and beautifully detailed, multilevel, three-room scenic design by Patrick Mason, with costumes by Brad Dubois, lighting by Ginger Chody and sound by Jaden Guerrero.

— Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of lighting

Verb

Persistent drought and scorching heat this summer have ravaged ecosystems and businesses across the region, from a lake in Slovenia and the side channel of the Danube in Serbia, to fish farms in Bosnia, the Czech Republic, Romania and Hungary.

— ABC News, ABC News, 29 Aug. 2026
While cooler fall days may be on the horizon, many students returning to school are still dealing with scorching end-of-summer temperatures.

— Justin Klawans, TheWeek, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of scorching

Browse Nearby Words

kindliness

kindling

kindlings

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Style

“Kindling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kindling. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of kindling

noun

verb

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