as in burning
being on fire
kindled straw was responsible for the blaze that destroyed the barn
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in burned
to set (something) on fire
worried that lightning will kindle the forest in the drought-stricken nature preserve
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of kindled
Jon Wertheim, CBS News, 5 Apr. 2026
This spectacular success kindled a desire in Hersheypark officials to invest heavily in thrill rides.
—John Haddad, The Conversation, 3 Apr. 2026
Traders and investors are laser-focused on the inflation being kindled by higher oil prices.
—Christopher Cann, USA Today, 25 Mar. 2026
If ‘Oxen’ occupies a region of Ulysses where Joyce’s exquisite ear for memorably musical sentences (‘Mild fire of wine kindled his veins’) takes a back seat to the leaden hum of meta-literature, that is no reason not to be awed by his chutzpah.
—Literary Hub, 5 Feb. 2026
Watson had kindled a social media friendship with the NBA star and received an invite to one of his exclusive pickup runs.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 14 Jan. 2026
This is only slightly challenged by a flame kindled between Mindy and Alfie (Lucien Laviscount) earlier on in the show.
—Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 5 Jan. 2026
The ballroom aces met on Broadway, kindled a romance on the reality dancing competition, and married in 2017.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Dec. 2025
Verb
America's hopes for its first high-speed rail were kindled in 2008, when California voters approved a ballot measure for a train connecting Los Angeles to San Francisco in less than three hours.
—Jon Wertheim, CBS News, 5 Apr. 2026
This spectacular success kindled a desire in Hersheypark officials to invest heavily in thrill rides.
—John Haddad, The Conversation, 3 Apr. 2026
Traders and investors are laser-focused on the inflation being kindled by higher oil prices.
—Christopher Cann, USA Today, 25 Mar. 2026
If ‘Oxen’ occupies a region of Ulysses where Joyce’s exquisite ear for memorably musical sentences (‘Mild fire of wine kindled his veins’) takes a back seat to the leaden hum of meta-literature, that is no reason not to be awed by his chutzpah.
—Literary Hub, 5 Feb. 2026
Watson had kindled a social media friendship with the NBA star and received an invite to one of his exclusive pickup runs.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 14 Jan. 2026
This is only slightly challenged by a flame kindled between Mindy and Alfie (Lucien Laviscount) earlier on in the show.
—Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 5 Jan. 2026
The ballroom aces met on Broadway, kindled a romance on the reality dancing competition, and married in 2017.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for kindled
Adjective
-
Please tell me the sequel could answer the most burning question of the ’00s: How could Austin not recognize Sam in that mask?—
Stephanie McNeal,
Glamour,
13 Aug. 2025
-
Cooper, 30, asked Hargitay one more burning question about the actors' on-screen alter egos: will Olivia and Elliot ever end up together?—
Victoria Edel,
People.com,
26 June 2025
Verb
-
Both Jaabis and the Israeli officer, Moshe Chen, were severely burned during the terror attack.—
Peter D'Abrosca,
FOXNews.com,
24 Apr. 2026
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That includes Brantley County, about 20 miles west of Brunswick, Georgia, where the Highway 82 Fire has burned at least 54 structures — including homes — and forced evacuations this week.—
CNN.com Wire Service,
Mercury News,
24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The plants are hardy in the South in USDA Zones 3-9, and the flowers of many blazing star species linger for a long time during the blooming season.—
Patricia S York,
Southern Living,
18 Apr. 2026
-
For Houstonians who saw it, the fireball meteor that streaked across the East Texas sky last month was a brief, blazing moment of awe.—
Maliya Ellis,
Houston Chronicle,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Max Crozier’s thunderous body check on Juraj Slafkovský in the second period ignited a Tampa comeback and led to three unanswered goals en route to a gritty, 3-2 win Sunday night to tie their series with Montreal 2-2.—
Arpon Basu,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
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In September, Kimmel made comments about the response to the assassination of Charlie Kirk (watch it here), a quip that ignited fierce criticism on the right.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
One young man, his shirt off and loosely draped around his neck along with a Santa Muerte necklace, sports tattoos of a Kalashnikov rifle and a flaming skull, regarding the camera with bedroom eyes.—
Chris Wiley,
New Yorker,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Alex Tafoya was a much easier interview, even taking off his Ghost Rider flaming skull headpiece to talk.—
Peter Larsen,
Oc Register,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Think sprinkles on a Tuesday morning coffee and a vibrant candle lit for no occasion.—
Casey DelBasso,
ABC News,
24 Apr. 2026
-
As visitors walk through the exhibition, the middle gallery is painted and lit to represent Martinez’s nighttime walks through Istanbul.—
Patrick Connolly,
The Orlando Sentinel,
24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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This year, the rumors swirl, a constant, low hum: Outer Heaven and Cuatro Gato, two more flickering lights, are expected to fade.—
Ana Gutierrez,
Austin American Statesman,
2 July 2025
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But there’s more flickering contrast in Narayan van Maele’s lensing, which alternates dun realism with occasionally hyperreal lighting and composition, particularly when the pagan promise of fire is in the frame.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
25 Mar. 2022
Adjective
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An Instagram post by New York City councilman Chi Ossé's was the spark that set the discourse aflame.—
Sam Stone,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Almost immediately, as the rumors were confirmed, gossip blogs and Reddit threads were aflame, monitoring how long this illicit relationship could have been going on while Ciara was none the wiser.—
Shamira Ibrahim,
HollywoodReporter,
8 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Kindled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kindled. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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