rekindle

verb

re·​kin·​dle ˌrē-ˈkin-dᵊl How to pronounce rekindle (audio)
rekindled; rekindling
1
transitive : to kindle (something) again
rekindle a fire
On the way the torch went out, and we took shelter in a small and lonely Christian chapel to rekindle it.Robert Louis Stevenson
: to start or stir up (something) again
The couple appeared to rekindle their romance, exchanging loving messages promising to try to make the relationship work again …Sarah Ward
"… You get a chance to meet up with people and rekindle memories … "Paul O'Connell
Its election offered an example of how to rekindle interest in politics …Vrasidas Karalis
Her story is one of those great stories of love, commitment and perseverance that rekindle your hope for humanity …Kimberly Fletcher
2
intransitive : to begin to burn again : to flare up again
Firefighters were called back to the scene around 6 a.m. when the flames rekindled.Mike Hasch

Examples of rekindle in a Sentence

the trip to Ireland rekindled her interest in learning Gaelic
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Sometimes, new friendships begin by rekindling old ones. Cheryl Robinson, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025 Before long, former Top Chef champ Cécile is back slinging meat-and-potatoes at her parents’ roadside truck stop and rekindling old flames with her country-boy ex, Raphaël (Bastien Bouillon). Ben Croll, IndieWire, 13 May 2025 However, Djokovic and Murray have failed to rekindle anything close to that kind of form in the months since. Matias Grez, CNN Money, 13 May 2025 It has since been rekindled as the Football Ambassador Committee, which serves in an advisory capacity and is designed to offer insights and suggestions on best practices to strengthen the program. Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 11 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for rekindle

Word History

First Known Use

1592, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of rekindle was in 1592

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Rekindle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rekindle. Accessed 21 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on rekindle

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!