ignite

verb

1. cause to start burning; subject to fire or great heat; “Great heat can ignite almost any dry matter”; “Light a cigarette”

   Synonyms

   • light

   Antonym

   • snuff out, blow out, extinguish, quench

   Less specific

   • burn, combust

   More specific

   • light up, fire up, light, reignite, kindle, enkindle, conflagrate, inflame, light up, flare up

2. start to burn or burst into flames; “Marsh gases ignited suddenly”; “The oily rags combusted spontaneously”

   Synonyms

   • erupt, catch fire, take fire, combust, conflagrate

   Less specific

   • change state, turn

   More specific

   • blow out, catch, light up

3. arouse or excite feelings and passions; “The ostentatious way of living of the rich ignites the hatred of the poor”; “The refugees’ fate stirred up compassion around the world”; “Wake old feelings of hatred”

   Synonyms

   • inflame, stir up, wake, heat, fire up

   Less specific

   • arouse, elicit, enkindle, kindle, evoke, fire, raise, provoke

   More specific

   • ferment