inflame

verb

in·​flame in-ˈflām How to pronounce inflame (audio)
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
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)

intransitive verb

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 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 The lawsuits have been inflaming an already bleak auto insurance market in Florida — a state whose average auto insurance premium of $2,560 is the highest in the country. Eli Tan, Washington Post, 12 Nov. 2023 The Israel-Hamas war being waged half a world away is inflaming campuses here in the U.S. Nancy Cordes, CBS News, 30 Oct. 2023 These patches are uber sticky, not at all irritating, and form a protective barrier against environmental stressors that can inflame spots — including your pesky fingers. Cai Cramer, Peoplemag, 26 Oct. 2023 In the coming year, these cases could inflame political divisions and cast a shadow of uncertainty over the 2024 election. Sue Halpern, The New Yorker, 9 Nov. 2023 Lewiston deepens old wounds In Wells, the latest shooting has inflamed unhealed wounds for Simmons’ family. Melissa Chan, NBC News, 5 Nov. 2023 Violence in and around the Al Aqsa Mosque complex in Jerusalem would inflame Arab and Muslim passions around the world in a way that nothing in Gaza could. Hussein Ibish, The New Republic, 24 Oct. 2023 The catastrophic blast on Tuesday at a crowded hospital in Gaza inflamed passions — and anti-Israeli feelings — around the world. Adam Sella, New York Times, 21 Oct. 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.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of inflame was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near inflame

Cite this Entry

“Inflame.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inflame. Accessed 7 Dec. 2023.

Kids Definition

inflame

verb
in·​flame in-ˈflām How to pronounce inflame (audio)
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 How to pronounce inflame (audio)
inflamed; inflaming

transitive verb

: to cause inflammation in (bodily tissue)
inflame the sinuses

intransitive verb

: to become affected with inflammation

More from Merriam-Webster on inflame

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!