as in provocative
tending to excite political disorder or insurrection the restless crowd was stirred up by the inflammatory rhetoric

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of inflammatory Astoundingly, the 2022 study discovered elevated levels of these inflammatory markers years, even decades, after the participants’ trauma. Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 21 June 2025 Looming over the meeting are his inflammatory threats to make Canada the 51st state and take over Greenland. Rob Gillies, Chicago Tribune, 15 June 2025 Earlier in the day, it was reported that a super PAC backing Cuomo had prepared an attack mailer that used a photo filter to make Mamdani’s beard look darker and bushier—which Mamdani denounced as inflammatory and Islamophobic. Eric Lach, New Yorker, 13 June 2025 Once celebrated for her resilience, Skinner risks being remembered more for inflammatory commentary than athletic achievements. Caroline Price, Forbes.com, 14 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for inflammatory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inflammatory
Adjective
  • On Monday, Davis Gates didn’t do herself or her cause any favors with provocative messaging about how Chicago’s children are CTU’s kids, too.
    The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 25 June 2025
  • The Second Lady offers a quick congratulations to the provocative conservative panelist.
    Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 24 June 2025
Adjective
  • More than 1,500 people were prosecuted in a sweeping Justice Department probe, resulting in serious convictions from assaulting law enforcement to seditious conspiracy.
    Ella Lee, The Hill, 12 June 2025
  • Rhodes was convicted of seditious conspiracy in connection with the Jan. 6 Capitol riot and was sentenced to 18 years in prison.
    Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 May 2025
Adjective
  • Video surveillance of the incident showed a suspect climbing over a fence, breaking into Shapiro’s home through a window, and throwing in an incendiary device, according to the affidavit.
    Chantelle Lee, Time, 16 June 2025
  • Soliman was charged with first-degree murder, crimes against at-risk adults/elderly, first-degree assault, criminal attempt to commit class one and class two felonies, and use of explosives or incendiary devices during a felony.
    Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 16 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Inflammatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inflammatory. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.

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