ignites

verb

present tense third-person singular of ignite
as in burns
to set (something) on fire tried using newspapers as kindling to ignite the logs in the fireplace

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 ignites The painting itself even ignites uncertainty among art historians. — Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 22 Oct. 2026 In modern nuclear weapons, conventional explosives set off a fission reaction—the splitting of big atoms—whose intensity then ignites a fusion reaction that combines light atoms. — Sarah Scoles, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026 This is the area where, if an ember lands and ignites something — a pile of firewood, a trash can or a deck — fire can break into the house and burn it down. — Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026 Continue reading … DOUBLE STANDARD — Attorney warns higher education is 'failing' as student faith fight ignites. — FOXNews.com, 2 Oct. 2026 With his business up and running, an unexpected spark ignites his love life. — Denise Petski, Deadline, 25 Sep. 2026 Her resistance ignites a conflict that exposes hidden secrets, shifting loyalties and traditions that have shaped the family for generations. — Ed Meza, Variety, 21 Sep. 2026 As the journey unfolds, romance ignites; alliances form; and hearts are shattered. — Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 31 Aug. 2026 This time around, Connect 3 returns to Camp Rock for a music challenge that ignites feuds among the competitors and campers. — Lisa Stardust, PEOPLE, 13 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ignites
  1. burns
  2. scorches
  3. inflames
  4. kindles
  5. fires
Verb
  • The report authors also looked at how climate change could play out differently if the world burns more or fewer fossil fuels and puts in place stronger or weaker policies.
    — Blanca Begert, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Decades later, the fire lit by his first steed, a brown Schwinn Mag Scrambler, still burns bright.
    — Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of burns
Verb
  • The city is bracing for triple digit temperatures this week as another heat wave scorches Central and Eastern Europe, driving fears that levels could drop even further.
    — Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 5 Aug. 2026
  • France followed its hottest-ever day with yet more brutal temperatures as a deadly heat wave scorches much of western Europe.
    — Elizabeth Robinson, NBC news, 24 June 2026
Definition of scorches
Verb
  • Asthma is a chronic condition that inflames the airways and can make breathing difficult.
    — Sanja Jelic, Verywell Health, 29 Apr. 2026
  • The episode inflames the diplomatic spat between the two countries that began over Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s comments about Taiwan.
    — J.D. Capelouto, semafor.com, 25 Mar. 2026
Definition of inflames
Verb
  • While Martin Scorsese called it one of the scariest movies of all time, The Uninvited kindles a wonderful romance between Rick and Stella.
    — Steven Thrash, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Oct. 2025
  • The star of Big Little Lies confessed her new film, Caught Stealing, kindles a powerful yearning for some aspects of the era.
    — Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 1 Sep. 2025
Definition of kindles
Verb
  • Jason fires a 3-D harpoon into the eye of Vera Sanchez (Catherine Parks), and later crushes the skull of Rick Bombay (Paul Kratka), causing his eyes to pop out.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026
  • After all, what could go wrong sitting atop three million barrels of oil while a hostile country fires missiles and drones at it?
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of fires

Browse Nearby Words

igniters
ignites
igniting
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Cite this Entry

“Ignites.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ignites. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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