in·cen·di·ary
in-ˈsen-dē-ˌer-ē 
-ˈsen-də-rē
-ˈsen-də-rē
-dyə-
1
a
: igniting combustible materials spontaneously
b
: of, relating to, or being a weapon (such as a bomb) designed to start fires
2
: tending to excite or inflame : inflammatory
incendiary speeches
4
: extremely hot
incendiary chili peppers
plural incendiaries
Examples of incendiary in a Sentence
Adjective
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
In the mid-Eighties, heavy-metal music was the incendiary genre being demonized …
—Alan Light, Rolling Stone, 18 Feb. 1993
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
The fire was started by an incendiary bomb.
recklessly made incendiary remarks during a period of heightened racial tensions
Noun
He was convinced that the arsonist was not at all what the town imagined: not brazen, but callow; not an expert incendiary noiselessly plying deer paths, but someone who was driving right up to his targets and fumbling with matches …
—Barry Werth, New England Monthly, February 1989
White phosphorus, an incendiary, is normally packed in thin-walled casings; the casing is effective for dispersing chemical agents as well.
—Stephen Budiansky, Nature, 5–11 Apr. 1984
The British had also made jellied gasoline with rubber, and it was generally recognized to be an excellent incendiary because of its easy ignition, high heat of combustion, and controlled burning rate.
—B. & F. M. Brodie, From Crossbow to H-Bomb, 1973
firefighters caught the incendiary, who was watching the effects of his handiwork
blamed the protests on outside incendiaries who were intent on overthrowing the government
Patricia D. Netzley, Encyclopedia of Movie Special Effects, 2000
In the mid-Eighties, heavy-metal music was the incendiary genre being demonized …
—Alan Light, Rolling Stone, 18 Feb. 1993
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
The fire was started by an incendiary bomb.
recklessly made incendiary remarks during a period of heightened racial tensions
Noun
He was convinced that the arsonist was not at all what the town imagined: not brazen, but callow; not an expert incendiary noiselessly plying deer paths, but someone who was driving right up to his targets and fumbling with matches …
—Barry Werth, New England Monthly, February 1989
White phosphorus, an incendiary, is normally packed in thin-walled casings; the casing is effective for dispersing chemical agents as well.
—Stephen Budiansky, Nature, 5–11 Apr. 1984
The British had also made jellied gasoline with rubber, and it was generally recognized to be an excellent incendiary because of its easy ignition, high heat of combustion, and controlled burning rate.
—B. & F. M. Brodie, From Crossbow to H-Bomb, 1973
firefighters caught the incendiary, who was watching the effects of his handiwork
blamed the protests on outside incendiaries who were intent on overthrowing the government
Recent Examples on the Web
Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 16 June 2025
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
David Axe, Forbes, 3 Oct. 2024
But incendiaries work against armored vehicles, too, as one Ukrainian brigade apparently discovered—more accurately, rediscovered—in eastern Ukraine this week.
—David Axe, Forbes, 3 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for incendiary
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Adjective
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
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
Noun
The dragon drones have mostly attacked bunkers, trenches and their occupants—the operators apparently calculating that structures and troops are most vulnerable to sticky incendiaries that can kill a human being in seconds.
—David Axe, Forbes, 3 Oct. 2024
But incendiaries work against armored vehicles, too, as one Ukrainian brigade apparently discovered—more accurately, rediscovered—in eastern Ukraine this week.
—David Axe, Forbes, 3 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for incendiary
Cite this Entry
“Incendiary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/incendiary. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
incendiary
1 of 2 noun
in·cen·di·ary
in-ˈsen-dē-ˌer-ē
plural incendiaries
incendiary
2 of 2 adjective1
: of, relating to, or involving arson
2
: tending to excite quarrels : inflammatory
an incendiary speech
3
: containing chemicals that burst into flame on contact
an incendiary bomb
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