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
Loneliness, in Arendt’s telling, inflames the connective tissues of a society.
—
Kim Samuel, Scientific American, 16 May 2025
The symptoms of sunburn in cats include inflamed or crusted skin that's hot to touch, swollen eyes, pain, or an urge to lick or scratch the affected area.
—Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 May 2025
Doing so has both inflamed and quelled her skin problems.
—David Oliver, USA Today, 6 May 2025
Tensions are further inflamed by the arrival of an itinerant deckhand, Daniel, who makes known his feelings for Jack.
—Zac Ntim, Deadline, 6 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for inflame
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Kim Samuel, Scientific American, 16 May 2025
The symptoms of sunburn in cats include inflamed or crusted skin that's hot to touch, swollen eyes, pain, or an urge to lick or scratch the affected area.
—Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 May 2025
Doing so has both inflamed and quelled her skin problems.
—David Oliver, USA Today, 6 May 2025
Tensions are further inflamed by the arrival of an itinerant deckhand, Daniel, who makes known his feelings for Jack.
—Zac Ntim, Deadline, 6 May 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 29 May. 2025.
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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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