Definition of inflame
inflamed
alsoenflamed
;inflaming
alsoenflaming
transitive verb
1a : to excite to excessive or uncontrollable action or feeling; especially : to make angryb : 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
nounRead the Latest from M-W
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 of inflame from the Web
-
Moving the embassy risked infuriating Palestinians, who claim east Jerusalem as the capital of a future state, and inflaming regional tensions.
-
And it was further inflamed Tuesday … when Trump fired a white-hot shot straight at Berlin’s glass-and-concrete chancellery.
-
And it was further inflamed Tuesday at 6:40 a.m. Washington time when Trump fired a white-hot shot straight at Berlin's glass-and-concrete chancellery.
-
The lack of a vote further inflamed some of those present.
-
The doctors concluded the parasite had inflamed the eye muscles and the treatment had eased the inflammation—and with it, the cross eyes.
-
The inflaming and legitimizing of peoples’ darkest, basest impulses to find entertainment.
-
Besides that, inspiring such attacks is also a way to pit communities against each other, inflame anti-Muslim sentiment, and sow discord among Muslim communities and with the wider society.
-
Huge projects like this always inflame passions and incite litigation.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'inflame'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of inflame
Middle English enflamen, from Anglo-French enflamer, from Latin inflammare, from in- + flamma flame
First Known Use: 14th century
INFLAME Defined for English Language Learners
inflame
playDefinition of inflame for English Language Learners
-
: to cause (a person or group) to become angry or violent
-
: to make (something) more active, angry, or violent
-
: to cause (a part of your body) to grow sore, red, and swollen
INFLAME Defined for Kids
inflame
Definition of inflame for Students
inflamed
;inflaming
1 : to make more active, excited, angry, or violent His words inflamed the crowd.
2 : to cause to redden or grow hot (as from anger)
3 : to make or become sore, red, and swollen The chemical can inflame the skin.
Medical Dictionary
inflame
playMedical Definition of inflame
inflamed
;inflaming
transitive verb
: to cause inflammation in (bodily tissue) inflame the sinusesintransitive verb
: to become affected with inflammation
Learn More about inflame
-
Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for inflame Spanish Central: Translation of inflame Nglish: Translation of inflame for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of inflame for Arabic speakers
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up inflame? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!