as in burning
to set (something) on fire
tried using newspapers as kindling to ignite the logs in the fireplace
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 igniting
The blaze remained confined to the wrecking yard property, despite briefly jumping a fence and igniting vegetation to the west.
—
Sacbee.com,
4 July 2026
At the party, Decastro spent over an hour shooting off fireworks in the street, eventually igniting the $400 firework.
—
Seamus Bozeman,
Los Angeles Times,
2 July 2026
Fireworks won't be the only light show igniting in the night sky this Fourth of July.
—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
2 July 2026
That means many areas are at high risk for fires igniting and spreading.
—
Lauren Lowman,
The Conversation,
29 June 2026
In 2016, after the Aquaman actress reached a $7 million divorce settlement from Johnny Depp, she and Delevingne were spotted together in London, igniting chatter about the nature of their relationship.
—
Kathleen Perricone,
Entertainment Weekly,
29 June 2026
Officials said in a statement posted on social media Sunday, a witness captured home surveillance video of a man smashing a window of a parked car and igniting it after pouring flammable liquid inside near Tara Drive Saturday night.
—
Marcella Baietto,
CBS News,
28 June 2026
As for cosmic weather this week, the planets align on June 28, igniting our adventurous spirits and libidos, eager to live life in the moment and sojourn onward!
—
Kyle Thomas,
PEOPLE,
28 June 2026
Rio de Janeiro’s Military Fire Department said that one of the helicopters crashed into a car dealership, where several electric vehicles were parked, igniting a fire that was extinguished, the AP reported.
—
Christina Dugan Ramirez,
FOXNews.com,
22 June 2026
Sacbee.com,
4 July 2026
At the party, Decastro spent over an hour shooting off fireworks in the street, eventually igniting the $400 firework.
—
Seamus Bozeman,
Los Angeles Times,
2 July 2026
Fireworks won't be the only light show igniting in the night sky this Fourth of July.
—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
2 July 2026
That means many areas are at high risk for fires igniting and spreading.
—
Lauren Lowman,
The Conversation,
29 June 2026
In 2016, after the Aquaman actress reached a $7 million divorce settlement from Johnny Depp, she and Delevingne were spotted together in London, igniting chatter about the nature of their relationship.
—
Kathleen Perricone,
Entertainment Weekly,
29 June 2026
Officials said in a statement posted on social media Sunday, a witness captured home surveillance video of a man smashing a window of a parked car and igniting it after pouring flammable liquid inside near Tara Drive Saturday night.
—
Marcella Baietto,
CBS News,
28 June 2026
As for cosmic weather this week, the planets align on June 28, igniting our adventurous spirits and libidos, eager to live life in the moment and sojourn onward!
—
Kyle Thomas,
PEOPLE,
28 June 2026
Rio de Janeiro’s Military Fire Department said that one of the helicopters crashed into a car dealership, where several electric vehicles were parked, igniting a fire that was extinguished, the AP reported.
—
Christina Dugan Ramirez,
FOXNews.com,
22 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for igniting
Verb
-
The smoke from the burning vehicles contained hazardous materials commonly found in automobiles, including fuels, oils and interior components, Nunez said, although steady winds helped disperse the smoke.
-
According to Graser, one of the victims had called from inside the burning building, pleading for help.
Verb
-
Rhode Islanders celebrated America's 250th anniversary at the Bristol Fourth of July parade despite scorching temperatures.
-
On the corner of West 31st Street and Seventh Avenue, right outside Madison Square Garden, the heat was scorching as the temperature inched to 100 degrees.
Verb
-
Photography arrived, kindling an enthusiasm that Baudelaire, ever the cynic, compared to a lust for pornography.
-
Even minor parks or embers might be carried into leaves or grass, kindling a fire that can swiftly expand.
Verb
-
But everyday people expressed their political outrage time and again, throwing rocks at and demolishing the houses of government officials, torching the king’s ships and forts and, eventually, marching to battle.
-
In 1984, then unknown monologist Whoopi Goldberg premiered her provocative, thought-provoking one-woman show on Broadway, torching the rulebook of traditional solo performance in one of the most electrifying debuts of the era.
Verb
-
Containing Iran’s influence without inflaming a domestic front appears to be the priority.
-
Footage of an activist being dragged away from the development went viral, further inflaming public opposition.
Cite this Entry
“Igniting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/igniting. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
