rekindle

verb

re·​kin·​dle ˌrē-ˈkin-dᵊl How to pronounce rekindle (audio)
rekindled; rekindling
1
transitive : to kindle (something) again
rekindle a fire
On the way the torch went out, and we took shelter in a small and lonely Christian chapel to rekindle it.Robert Louis Stevenson
: to start or stir up (something) again
The couple appeared to rekindle their romance, exchanging loving messages promising to try to make the relationship work again …Sarah Ward
"… You get a chance to meet up with people and rekindle memories … "Paul O'Connell
Its election offered an example of how to rekindle interest in politics …Vrasidas Karalis
Her story is one of those great stories of love, commitment and perseverance that rekindle your hope for humanity …Kimberly Fletcher
2
intransitive : to begin to burn again : to flare up again
Firefighters were called back to the scene around 6 a.m. when the flames rekindled.Mike Hasch

Examples of rekindle in a Sentence

the trip to Ireland rekindled her interest in learning Gaelic
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The pair appeared to rekindle their romance in August 2024, after splitting in 2019, when Leray posted a video call between her and Redd on X (formerly Twitter). Kayla Grant, People.com, 15 Apr. 2025 His endeavor sparks a debate within the family, rekindling past traumas in his community. Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 14 Apr. 2025 They wed in July 2022 after rekindling their romance in 2021—nearly two decades after calling off their first engagement and wedding in 2004. Robyn Merrett, StyleCaster, 4 Apr. 2025 Shari’s disinterest in rekindling a relationship with her mother, and her insistence on referring to her parents by their first names, pushes back against the expectation that children express unconditional gratitude for the parents who raised them. Hannah Giorgis, The Atlantic, 31 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for rekindle

Word History

First Known Use

1592, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of rekindle was in 1592

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Rekindle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rekindle. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on rekindle

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!