as in fuel
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as in burning
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 kindling
Jeff Goodell, Rolling Stone, 13 Feb. 2025
Then Sam throws the rest of his kindling onto his fire in a last-ditch attempt just as, as Jeffrey says, the wind blows Teeny’s fire away from her rope and blows Sam’s fire upward toward his rope.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 18 Dec. 2024
In the dry seasons, the brush withered into kindling waiting to ignite.
—Elizabeth Kolbert, The New Yorker, 19 Jan. 2025
The red flag warnings that have blanketed most of Southern California, and helped turn parts of it into kindling, have left the desert alone so far for the most part.
—Jim Alexander, Orange County Register, 16 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for kindling
Noun
By that time, the mountains around L.A. were like a giant pile of kindling.
—Jeff Goodell, Rolling Stone, 13 Feb. 2025
Then Sam throws the rest of his kindling onto his fire in a last-ditch attempt just as, as Jeffrey says, the wind blows Teeny’s fire away from her rope and blows Sam’s fire upward toward his rope.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 18 Dec. 2024
In the dry seasons, the brush withered into kindling waiting to ignite.
—Elizabeth Kolbert, The New Yorker, 19 Jan. 2025
The red flag warnings that have blanketed most of Southern California, and helped turn parts of it into kindling, have left the desert alone so far for the most part.
—Jim Alexander, Orange County Register, 16 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for kindling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for kindling
Noun
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Iran has long cited fuel smuggling and maritime violations as justification for its actions, but critics argue these seizures are part of a broader geopolitical strategy.—
Josh Hammer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Apr. 2025
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So far, more than 220 airports as well as multiple airlines and fuel companies have signed on as partners.—
Michael Verdon,
Robb Report,
1 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The company built a retail and residential complex around the county’s Coconut Grove Metrorail station, and Martin also is pitching an incinerator site in western Miami-Dade as an alternative to the Levine Cava plan to rebuild the trash-burning facility in Doral.—
Douglas Hanks,
Miami Herald,
4 Jan. 2025
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As some steelmakers are beginning to embrace cleaner technology, climate and clean air advocates say Nippon's plan would have slowed the transition to greener steel by extending the life of dirty, old coal-burning furnaces.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
3 Jan. 2025
Verb
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This specific timing seemed to be a clever nod to the racing numbers of Leclerc (16) and Hamilton himself (44), igniting a social media frenzy.—
Alex Harrington,
Newsweek,
3 Jan. 2025
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News of the incident travelled around the globe, igniting outrage and sorrow.—
Megan Feringa,
The Athletic,
2 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Rocket Lab also has the option to return the Neutron first stage back to the launch site when mission parameters allow the rocket to reserve enough propellant to make the return journey.—
Stephen Clark,
Ars Technica,
28 Feb. 2025
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The company also plans to launch its first, more complex liquid propellant launch vehicle later this year.—
Andrew Jones,
Space.com,
22 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Similarly, the magnetic fields release their energy by producing these jets.—
David Garofalo,
The Conversation,
31 Mar. 2025
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Tuesday's vote could be the first measure of Trump's popularity and Democrats' energy after the election five months ago.—
The NPR Network,
NPR,
31 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Stray animals are also at risk of suffering from heat exhaustion during scorching summers.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
Newsweek,
2 Jan. 2025
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Heat over medium heat, stirring frequently to avoid scorching the milk.—
Alana Al-Hatlani,
Southern Living,
28 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Natural gas has the opportunity to compete with coal, diesel, and other inefficient power sources across the globe, delivering cleaner and cheaper power.—
Steven Dudash,
Forbes.com,
1 Apr. 2025
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Trump has already tested the bounds of the Constitution governing presidential power several times in the first months of his second term.—
Alexandra Hutzler,
ABC News,
31 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Kindling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kindling. Accessed 9 Apr. 2025.
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