variants
or less commonly enflame
inflamed also enflamed; inflaming also enflaming
1
a
: to excite to excessive or uncontrollable action or feeling
especially
: to make angry
b
: to make more heated or violent : intensify
insults served only to inflame the feud
2
: to set on fire : kindle
3
: to cause to redden or grow hot from anger or excitement
a face inflamed with passion
4
: to cause inflammation in (bodily tissue)
1
: to burst into flame
2
: to become excited or angered
3
: to become affected with inflammation
inflamer
noun
Examples of inflame in a Sentence
His angry speech inflamed the mob.
ideas that inflame the imagination
His comments have inflamed an already tense situation.
inflaming the passions of the mob
a chemical that can inflame the skin
Recent Examples on the Web
But instead of dispelling speculation about the case, the memo only inflamed things further, putting the administration in the hot seat.
—
Zac Anderson, USA Today, 23 July 2025
Meanwhile, waves of migrants continue arriving by boat, further inflaming public frustration over unchecked immigration.
—Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 20 July 2025
Wayne plays Ethan Edwards, a man driven by a hate that’s inflamed when Comanches murder Ethan’s brother and other members of his family before kidnapping his two nieces.
—Keith Phipps, Vulture, 18 July 2025
The veterinarian also noted that her joints in her legs and feet were very swollen and inflamed due to infection, and was placed on antibiotics for treatment, the warrant affidavit said.
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 16 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for inflame
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Zac Anderson, USA Today, 23 July 2025
Meanwhile, waves of migrants continue arriving by boat, further inflaming public frustration over unchecked immigration.
—Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 20 July 2025
Wayne plays Ethan Edwards, a man driven by a hate that’s inflamed when Comanches murder Ethan’s brother and other members of his family before kidnapping his two nieces.
—Keith Phipps, Vulture, 18 July 2025
The veterinarian also noted that her joints in her legs and feet were very swollen and inflamed due to infection, and was placed on antibiotics for treatment, the warrant affidavit said.
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 16 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for inflame
Cite this Entry
“Inflame.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inflame. Accessed 7 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
Medical Definition
inflame
verb
in·flame
in-ˈflām 
inflamed; inflaming
: to cause inflammation in (bodily tissue)
inflame the sinuses
: to become affected with inflammation
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