incendiary

²in·cen·di·ary

adj
\in-ˈsen-dē-ˌer-ē; -ˈsen-də-rē, -dyə-\

Definition of INCENDIARY

1

: of, relating to, or involving arson : arsonous

2

: tending to excite or inflame : inflammatory <incendiary speeches>

3

a : igniting combustible materials spontaneously b : of, relating to, or being a weapon (as a bomb) designed to start fires

4

: extremely hot <incendiary chili peppers>

Examples of INCENDIARY

1. The fire was started by an incendiary bomb.
2. <recklessly made incendiary remarks during a period of heightened racial tensions>
3. While visual effects experts work with images, mechanical effects experts work with machinery, tools, incendiary devices, and other equipment to manipulate physical events during live-action filming. —Patricia D. Netzley, Encyclopedia of Movie Special Effects, 2000
4. In the mid-Eighties, heavy-metal music was the incendiary genre being demonized … —Alan Light, Rolling Stone, 18 Feb. 1993
5. The only caveat … is to know one's own sensitivity to chili pepper heat. If a small or moderate dose of capsicum (the incendiary chemical component in chilies) makes you dash for a glass of ice water, this menu is not going to be fun for you. —Harvey Steiman, Wine Spectator, 15 Mar. 1991

Origin of INCENDIARY

(see ¹incendiary)

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to INCENDIARY

Synonyms: inflammatory, seditious

Related Words: agitational, instigative, provocative; mutinous, rebellious, revolutionary

Near Antonyms: conciliatory, pacific; diplomatic; calming, soothing

[+]more[-]hide