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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of kindling
David Gelles, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2025
After two wet winters fueled the growth of grasses and brush — ideal kindling for fires — across SoCal mountains and hillsides, the last few months saw an abrupt shift to record-dry conditions.
—Sammy Roth, Los Angeles Times, 14 Jan. 2025
And so Lively’s allegations against Baldoni were never going to be seen as brave, but, rather, as the kindling for a culture war.
—Doreen St. Félix, The New Yorker, 13 Jan. 2025
After two very rainy years, brush on the hillsides of Los Angeles had a chance to grow – into lots of kindling.
—Chloe Sorvino, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for kindling
Noun
As a result, many of the plants that grew last year are parched, turning trees, grasses and bushes into kindling that was ready to explode.
—David Gelles, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2025
After two wet winters fueled the growth of grasses and brush — ideal kindling for fires — across SoCal mountains and hillsides, the last few months saw an abrupt shift to record-dry conditions.
—Sammy Roth, Los Angeles Times, 14 Jan. 2025
And so Lively’s allegations against Baldoni were never going to be seen as brave, but, rather, as the kindling for a culture war.
—Doreen St. Félix, The New Yorker, 13 Jan. 2025
After two very rainy years, brush on the hillsides of Los Angeles had a chance to grow – into lots of kindling.
—Chloe Sorvino, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for kindling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for kindling
Noun
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Even with the generator, exhaust system and fuel system, the total weight added back is likely well under 500-lbs leaving a notable net reduction in vehicle weight.—
Sam Abuelsamid,
Forbes,
24 Feb. 2025
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However, many countries have not placed sanctions on Russia; the report said that some fuel products had made their way to the West through third-party states including China, India and Turkey.—
Mark Joseph,
Newsweek,
24 Feb. 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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Iran’s largest and most powerful ballistic missiles typically use liquid propellant.—
Saskya Vandoorne,
CNN,
13 Feb. 2025
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As a propellant for the story and its 97-minute runtime, switching from a sci-fi-tinged chiller to a crime caper makes sense; the genre advances Companion past its novella premise into something more robust.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
3 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Adjusting schedules based on chronotype After pinpointing your chronotype, Breus recommends tailoring daily activities based on periods of peak energy and productivity levels.—
Amy McGorry,
Fox News,
23 Feb. 2025
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From scheduling home repairs to managing healthcare claims and family logistics, these routine tasks drain energy and productivity.—
Nirit Cohen,
Forbes,
23 Feb. 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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Critics, even in his own ranks, saw this as an unforgivable breach of a political quarantine designed to keep the AfD out of power.—
Thomas Escritt,
USA TODAY,
24 Feb. 2025
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The 34-year-old displayed his power to deliver blows to Beterbiev while still being able to evade his opponent’s counter attempts.—
Ben Morse,
CNN,
23 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Kindling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kindling. Accessed 4 Mar. 2025.
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