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kindle

22 synonyms and 4 antonyms for kindle, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Verb — To light or start a fire.

Synonyms

Everyday swaps

Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

arouse awaken incite aflame alight conflagrate fire up inflame light up set ablaze set afire set aflame set alight set fire set on fire

Antonyms

How to use kindle

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

kindle a fire kindle interest kindle hope

Etymology

From Middle English kyndelen, borrowed from Old Norse kynda, "to light a fire."

Full origin of kindle →

Frequently asked questions

What does “kindle” mean?

The word “kindle” means to light or start a fire. In plain terms, to light a fire, or to spark a feeling like interest or hope into life.

How do you pronounce “kindle”?

“Kindle” is pronounced KIHN-duhl (/ˈkɪn.dəl/ in IPA).

How do you use “kindle” in a sentence?

Here is “kindle” used in a sentence: “He kindled the campfire using dry leaves and small twigs.”

What is another word for “kindle”?

Words with a similar meaning to “kindle” include aflame, alight, conflagrate, fire, fire up and ignite.

What is the opposite of “kindle”?

The opposite of “kindle” — its antonyms — are douse, extinguish, put out and quench.

What part of speech is “kindle”?

“Kindle” is a verb.

Where does the word “kindle” come from?

The word “kindle” comes from Middle English. From Middle English kyndelen, borrowed from Old Norse kynda, "to light a fire.".

Is “kindle” a common word?

“Kindle” is an uncommon word in modern English.

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Nearby words

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Synonyms and antonyms from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA.