inflame

verb

in·flame in-ˈflām

variants or less commonly enflame

inflamed also enflamed; inflaming also enflaming

Synonyms of inflame next

transitive verb

: to excite to excessive or uncontrollable action or feeling

especially : to make angry

: to make more heated or violent : intensify

insults served only to inflame the feud

: to set on fire : kindle

: to cause to redden or grow hot from anger or excitement

a face inflamed with passion

: to cause inflammation in (bodily tissue)

intransitive verb

: to burst into flame

: to become excited or angered

: 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 The satellite launches have inflamed animosities between the rival Koreas, and both nations have taken steps to breach a previous military agreement meant to ease frontline military tensions. —

The Associated Press, arkansasonline.com, 2 Dec. 2023 Posters of people held hostage by Hamas, affixed to light poles and buildings in cities and on college campuses around the U.S., are being torn down, leading to confrontations captured on social media and further inflaming the debate over the war in the Middle East. —

Deon J. Hampton, NBC News, 9 Nov. 2023 If slugging is used too often and for too long, pimples can form, germs can multiply, and the skin can even become inflamed. —

Claudia Herwig, Glamour, 7 Nov. 2023 But analysts say the Biden administration has stayed clear of striking targets in Iraq for fear of inflaming the political situation in the country, where the U.S. still has 2,500 troops to mentor Iraqi forces who are fighting Islamic State militants. —

Michael R. Gordon, WSJ, 27 Oct. 2023 White supremacists have for years spread videos showing violent acts committed by people of color to inflame racial animus in hopes of winning potential recruits, Henry said. —

Drew Harwell, Washington Post, 24 Oct. 2023 In addition to stepping up public exposure of such incidents, the Philippines and its treaty ally, the U.S., have moved to expand defense cooperation, inflaming tensions between the two superpowers. —

TIME, 23 Oct. 2023 May reduce inflammation and stuffy nose Inflammation is part of the body’s natural response to injury or illness; inflammation occurs when white blood cells migrate to inflamed tissue to assist with healing. —

Colby Teeman, Assistant Professor Of Dietetics and Nutrition, University Of Dayton, Fortune Well, 21 Oct. 2023 Climate amplified droughts and storms in that region have inflamed existing conflict and insecurity, which are contributing to unprecedented levels of migration toward the U.S. border. —

Elizabeth Rayne, Ars Technica, 14 Nov. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'inflame.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.