rekindle

[ ree-kin-dl ]

/ riˈkɪn dl /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR rekindle ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object), re·kin·dled, re·kin·dling.

to excite, stir up, or rouse anew: efforts to rekindle their romance; comments that rekindled her anger.

to cause to begin burning again; ignite again: Never use gasoline to rekindle a fire.

verb (used without object), re·kin·dled, re·kin·dling.

to begin to burn again; ignite again: She is worried about a fire rekindling.

RELATED WORDS

renew, revive, revitalize, relight

Nearby words

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for rekindle

But privately, according to Trierweiler, Hollande slithered back and attempted to rekindle the mortally wounded relationship.
Hell Hath No Fury Like Valerie Trierweiler, the French President’s Ex|Lizzie Crocker|November 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Impossible to tell the stories, to rekindle the grander times.
The Stacks: Harold Conrad Was Many Things, But He Was Never, Ever Dull|Mark Jacobson|March 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
This is an ugly reason to rekindle hope, but let's take what we can get.
Understanding John Kerry's Logic|Bernard Avishai|July 22, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Gatsby, with the help of Carraway, attempts to rekindle his romance with Daisy.
‘The Great Gatsby’ Debate: Is Baz Luhrmann’s Film Genius or Rubbish?|Marlow Stern, Isabel Wilkinson|May 11, 2013|DAILY BEAST

Closet Hookup Baptisms may symbolize new life, but Olivia and Fitz use the opportunity to rekindle their forbidden romance.
‘Scandal’: The 11 Craziest Moments on Shonda Rhimes’s ABC Show (Video)|Molly Taylor|March 21, 2013|DAILY BEAST
I resolved again to attach myself to some living heart—it was my sole chance to rekindle my own.
My Novel, Complete|Edward Bulwer-Lytton
Arriving at the tent the boys proceeded to rekindle the fire.
The Saddle Boys in the Grand Canyon|James Carson
As if it would not be a simple thing to rekindle the old flame—to make these two estranged hearts beat as one again!
Miss Billy's Decision|Eleanor H. Porter
The affairs of the emperor in Germany were in too bad a state for him to rekindle war, and France kept Pignerol.
A Popular History of France From The Earliest Times|Francois Pierre Guillaume Guizot
But the agents of the convict department endeavored to rekindle the last embers of jealousy and hate.
The History of Tasmania, Volume I (of 2)|John West

British Dictionary definitions for rekindle

rekindle

/ (riːˈkɪndəl) /

verb

to arouse or cause to be aroused againrekindle the romance in your relationship

to set alight or start to burn again

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

Word Origin and History for rekindle

rekindle

1590s, from re- "back, again" + kindle (v.). Figurative use from 1650s. Related: Rekindled; rekindling.