often attributive
1
a
: a material used to produce heat or power by burning
b
: nutritive material
c
: a material from which atomic energy can be liberated especially in a reactor
2
: a source of sustenance or incentive : reinforcement
fueled or fuelled; fueling or fuelling
1
: to provide with fuel
: to take in fuel
—often used with up
Synonyms
Examples of fuel in a Sentence
Noun
I had the fuel pump replaced on my car.
These latest scandals will provide further fuel for his political opponents.
These latest accusations will only add fuel to the controversy.
The controversy continues to rage, and these latest accusations will only add fuel to the fire.
Verb
The airplanes were fueled in midair.
The criticism she has faced has only fueled her determination to succeed.
Inflation was fueled by high prices.
The strong economy has fueled the construction of new homes.
Recent Examples on the Web
Whitney Eulich, The Christian Science Monitor, 22 Nov. 2024
Not in a vindictive way at all, but just in a sense of, like, fuel to my fire.
—Carly Thomas, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Nov. 2024
Kristin Shaw, Popular Science, 14 Nov. 2024
Trump is set to pull funding from the Inflation Reduction Act, which has fueled electric vehicle investments, and nix the $7,500 tax credit for new EV purchases.
—William Gavin, Quartz, 13 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for fuel 
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show current usage.
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Noun
In 1999, when Hugo Chávez rose to power in Venezuela, his government took care of providing fuel to Cuba at preferential prices, and the blackouts dissipated.
—Whitney Eulich, The Christian Science Monitor, 22 Nov. 2024
Not in a vindictive way at all, but just in a sense of, like, fuel to my fire.
—Carly Thomas, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Nov. 2024
Verb
Shortly after that, near the New York-New Jersey border, another fire fueled by drought, dry air, and high winds destroyed more than 2,500 acres.
—Kristin Shaw, Popular Science, 14 Nov. 2024
Trump is set to pull funding from the Inflation Reduction Act, which has fueled electric vehicle investments, and nix the $7,500 tax credit for new EV purchases.
—William Gavin, Quartz, 13 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for fuel
Dictionary Entries Near fuel
Cite this Entry
“Fuel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fuel. Accessed 29 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
fuel
1 of 2 noun
fu·el
ˈfyü(-ə)l 
1
a
: a material used to produce heat or power by burning
b
: a material from which atomic energy can be produced especially in a reactor
2
: a source of energy
fuel
2 of 2 verb
fueled or fuelled; fueling or fuelling
: to supply with or take in fuel
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