as in burning
to set (something) on fire
tried using newspapers as kindling to ignite the logs in the fireplace
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Recent Examples of igniting
Brave Pullman porters carried the Chicago Defender with coverage of the funeral on trains headed south from Chicago, sparking outrage and igniting a movement.
—
Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 12 Feb. 2026
Lawmakers are considering a statewide bell-to-bell ban on cellphones in the classroom, igniting a debate once again on the issue.
—Livi Stanford, Hartford Courant, 11 Feb. 2026
Their uneasy dynamic fractures when the attorney embarks on a consuming affair with a younger woman, igniting a volatile love triangle that unleashes obsession, betrayal and a ruthless battle for control of the family fortune.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 10 Feb. 2026
Duren then hit Diabate in the face with his open right hand, igniting a confrontation that lasted more than 30 seconds.
—CBS News, 10 Feb. 2026
The image ricocheted across the country, igniting outrage from lawmakers and the public.
—Mike Hixenbaugh, NBC news, 6 Feb. 2026
Video of a man confronting them during intermission went viral, igniting the latest round of heated debate over audience behavior.
—Naveen Kumar, Washington Post, 5 Feb. 2026
Minutes later, Jarred Vanderbilt stripped Drake Powell, pushed the ball ahead to Austin Reaves and watched Reaves lob it off the glass to James, igniting the Lakers-heavy crowd.
—C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 4 Feb. 2026
The findings were provided to the Yolo County District Attorney’s Office, which has conducted a far-reaching criminal probe into the fireworks operation that exploded in the rural community, killing seven people and igniting a 78-acre wildfire.
—Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 2 Feb. 2026
Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 12 Feb. 2026
Lawmakers are considering a statewide bell-to-bell ban on cellphones in the classroom, igniting a debate once again on the issue.
—Livi Stanford, Hartford Courant, 11 Feb. 2026
Their uneasy dynamic fractures when the attorney embarks on a consuming affair with a younger woman, igniting a volatile love triangle that unleashes obsession, betrayal and a ruthless battle for control of the family fortune.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 10 Feb. 2026
Duren then hit Diabate in the face with his open right hand, igniting a confrontation that lasted more than 30 seconds.
—CBS News, 10 Feb. 2026
The image ricocheted across the country, igniting outrage from lawmakers and the public.
—Mike Hixenbaugh, NBC news, 6 Feb. 2026
Video of a man confronting them during intermission went viral, igniting the latest round of heated debate over audience behavior.
—Naveen Kumar, Washington Post, 5 Feb. 2026
Minutes later, Jarred Vanderbilt stripped Drake Powell, pushed the ball ahead to Austin Reaves and watched Reaves lob it off the glass to James, igniting the Lakers-heavy crowd.
—C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 4 Feb. 2026
The findings were provided to the Yolo County District Attorney’s Office, which has conducted a far-reaching criminal probe into the fireworks operation that exploded in the rural community, killing seven people and igniting a 78-acre wildfire.
—Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 2 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for igniting
Verb
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Charred, thin bubbling crusts come straight from the room’s wood burning oven, and the Funghi, with wild mushrooms, scamorza taleggio, Parmigiano Reggiano and aromatic herbs is a standout.—
Andrea Bennett,
Condé Nast Traveler,
10 Feb. 2026
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The company says fans will be invited to send in their burning questions for the presenters to tackle each week.—
Todd Spangler,
Variety,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The hard X-ray peak came first, intense and quickly, followed by a longer, scorching soft X-ray and optical glow.—
Paul Sutter,
Space.com,
6 Feb. 2026
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The Best Ways To Reheat Cooked Bacon Cooked bacon reheats quickly, so always keep an eye on it to prevent scorching.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Even minor parks or embers might be carried into leaves or grass, kindling a fire that can swiftly expand.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
29 Dec. 2025
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Refrain from kindling fires with debris or any other materials during an air quality alert.—
Southern California Weather Report,
Oc Register,
20 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Atwood was firing back at would-be book-burners by torching an unburnable edition.—
Jon Wertheim,
CBS News,
9 Feb. 2026
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That came just 24 days after Dennis Allen’s Saints were on the wrong end of a Nacua torching — 9-164-1 — an experience Allen was reminded of Thursday.—
Dan Wiederer,
New York Times,
16 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Further inflaming the issue this week was images of Liam Ramos, a 5-year-old boy who was detained by ICE agents along with his father in Minnesota, prompting strong pushback from local officials.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
22 Jan. 2026
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On top of that, Sybil receives a terminal breast cancer diagnosis, further inflaming tensions throughout the house over the holidays.—
Tommy McArdle,
PEOPLE,
7 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Igniting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/igniting. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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