inflame

verb

in·​flame in-ˈflām 

variants or less commonly enflame

inflamed also enflamed; inflaming also enflaming

transitive verb

1

a

: to excite to excessive or uncontrollable action or feeling

especially : to make angry

His speech inflamed the mob.

b

: to make more active, heated, or violent : intensify

inflame the imagination

insults serving 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)

intransitive verb

1

: to burst into flame

2

: to become excited or angered

3

: to become affected with inflammation

inflamer noun

Synonyms of inflame

• infuriate
• anger
• enrage
• irritate
• annoy

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

Since the party rose to power in 2014, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the helm, critics have accused it of stifling civil liberties and the press, pursuing a Hindu-first agenda, and inflaming religious divisions within India’s secular democracy. —Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 22 May 2026

According to the Mayo Clinic, HUS can occur when small blood vessels become damaged and inflamed, causing clots that can damage the kidneys and other organs. —Adam England, PEOPLE, 19 May 2026

Razor bumps can range from ingrown hairs to folliculitis, which occurs when the hair follicle becomes inflamed. —Ariana Yaptangco, Glamour, 18 May 2026

And rumors were inflamed by a suspicious discovery. —Erin Moriarty, CBS News, 17 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English enflamen, from Anglo-French enflamer, from Latin inflammare, from in- + flamma flame

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Rhymes for inflame

• acclaim
• aflame
• airframe
• ballgame
• became
• declaim
• defame
• disclaim
• doorframe
• exclaim
• mainframe
• nickname

Kids Definition

inflame

verb

in·​flame in-ˈflām 

inflamed; inflaming

1

: to set on fire : kindle

2

: to excite to too much action or feeling

especially : to make angry

3

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

4

: to cause inflammation in (bodily tissue)

5

: to become affected with inflammation

Medical Definition

inflame

verb

in·​flame in-ˈflām 

inflamed; inflaming

transitive verb

: to cause inflammation in (bodily tissue)

inflame the sinuses

intransitive verb

: to become affected with inflammation