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ignite

Ignite is a verb that means to start heat or a flame. Trying to ignite a match inside a dark fireworks factory is a really bad idea — one that can get you blown sky high.

The literal definition of ignite is to cause something to catch fire or burn. Dousing a house in gasoline and putting a lit match to the front door will surely cause the home to ignite. In its more figurative sense, ignite means to inspire intense feelings. A passionate kiss can ignite a fiery romance, but if one of the people doing the kissing is married to someone else, that kiss could ignite a spouse's fury.

DEFINITIONS OF: ignite

1

v cause to start burning; subject to fire or great heat

“Great heat can ignite almost any dry matter”
Synonyms:
light
Antonyms:
blow out, extinguish, quench, snuff out
put out, as of fires, flames, or lights
Types:
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fire up, light, light up
begin to smoke
reignite
ignite anew, as of something burning
conflagrate, enkindle, inflame, kindle
cause to start burning
light up
ignite
flare up
ignite quickly and suddenly, especially after having died down
rekindle
kindle anew, as of a fire
inflame, kindle
catch fire
Type of:
burn, combust
cause to burn or combust

v start to burn or burst into flames

“Marsh gases ignited suddenly”
Synonyms:
catch fire, combust, conflagrate, erupt, take fire
burn, combust
cause to burn or combust
Types:
blow out
erupt in an uncontrolled manner
catch
start burning
light up
start to burn with a bright flame
Type of:
change state, turn
undergo a transformation or a change of position or action

v arouse or excite feelings and passions

“The ostentatious way of living of the rich ignites the hatred of the poor”
Synonyms:
fire up, heat, inflame, stir up, wake
Types:
ferment
work up into agitation or excitement
Type of:
arouse, elicit, enkindle, evoke, fire, kindle, provoke, raise
call forth (emotions, feelings, and responses)
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