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Synonyms

enkindle

American  
[en-kin-dl] / ɛnˈkɪn dl /

verb (used with or without object)

enkindled, enkindling
  1. to kindle into flame, ardor, activity, etc.


enkindle British  
/ ɪnˈkɪndəl /

verb

  1. to set on fire; kindle

  2. to excite to activity or ardour; arouse

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms


Etymology

Origin of enkindle

First recorded in 1540–50; en- 1 + kindle 1


Vocabulary lists containing enkindle

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

His father gave him lessons about it but then stopped: “He could not enkindle in the heart of the child what was ashes in his own.”

From New York Times ● Oct. 21, 2021

Minardi fought to enkindle the Catholic faith in youth — and he never gave up for the 70 years he was Ozzano’s parish priest, until coronavirus killed him at 94.

From Washington Times ● Apr. 8, 2020

Friendly and exuberant “Let your wisdom enkindle others” “Looking forward for an everlasting scientific relationship!”

From Nature ● Dec. 13, 2016

That he could not enkindle in the heart of the child what was ashes in his own.

From "The Road" by Cormac McCarthy

Without the emotions that soar and thrill and enkindle, no man can attain 'a grand moral vision.'

From The Life of William Ewart Gladstone, Vol. 1 (of 3) 1809-1859 by John Morley

The settings, enkindled by Jennifer Tipton’s lighting, are sketched against a lyrical, abstract background.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 28, 2022

Did I not protest against it, With the bold fervour of enkindled zeal, I were the pander of a love, like incest; Betrayer of my trust, my function's shame, And thy eternal soul's worst enemy.

From The Count of Narbonne A Tragedy, in Five Acts by Robert Jephson

His wrath A flame enkindled in His eyes of light, Ere He, to ward the threatened blow, gave charge Unto this expedition.

From Vondel's Lucifer by Joost van den Vondel

Every American will read these works with national pride, and have his better feelings and sentiments enkindled and strengthened.—Western literary Messenger.

From The Second War with England, Vol. 2 of 2 by Joel Tyler Headley

But we bend our knees in prayer before Thee and humbly beseech Thee, remit Thy great wrath enkindled against our sins.

From The Little Treasure of Prayers Being a Translation of the Epitome from the German Larger 'Treasure of prayers' ['Gebets-Schatz'] by Anonymous

He ran the match crackling along the underside of the table and fell to enkindling his cigar.

From New York Times ● Oct. 14, 2022

But faith, after all, is but the hand that takes, whilst love is the fellowship of kindred hearts that flash each on the other the enkindling gleam.

From Love to the Uttermost Expositions of John XIII.-XXI. by F. B. (Frederick Brotherton) Meyer

Now, as then, there was a curious blending of principle and of personal resentment, but the issue presented was less enkindling than the sentiment of resistance to the aggressions of slavery.

From Twenty Years of Congress, Volume 2 From Lincoln to Garfield, with a Review of the Events Which Led to the Political Revolution of 1860 by James Gillespie Blaine

A name above all names of heroes, higher Than song may sound or heart of man aspire, Rings as the very voice that speaks the sea To-day from all the sea's enkindling lyre.

From A Channel Passage and Other Poems Taken from The Collected Poetical Works of Algernon Charles Swinburne—Vol VI by Algernon Charles Swinburne

If it be said that what one after all is getting is the Stidger view, it must not be forgotten that the Stidger view is marvellously vital and enkindling.

From Flash-lights from the Seven Seas by Francis John McConnell

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