inflammatory

adjective

in·​flam·​ma·​to·​ry in-ˈfla-mə-ˌtȯr-ē How to pronounce inflammatory (audio)
1
: tending to excite anger, disorder, or tumult : seditious
2
: tending to inflame or excite the senses
3
: accompanied by or tending to cause inflammation
inflammatorily adverb

Examples of inflammatory in a Sentence

She had an acute inflammatory reaction to the drug. He incited the mob with an inflammatory speech.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Some providers may also recommend eliminating gluten and lactose to reduce the body's inflammatory response, which can adversely affect thyroid function. Danielle Weiss, Verywell Health, 22 May 2025 The changes were related to immunity, inflammatory responses and cardio-metabolic traits and most likely reflect adaptations to new diets, more crowded living conditions, diseases and domestic livestock. Kermit Pattison, Scientific American, 20 May 2025 The vagus nerve is also thought to have a relationship with the body’s inflammatory response. Caroline C. Boyle, USA Today, 18 May 2025 The injectable medication, which contains the active ingredient adalimumab, is used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory conditions. Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 13 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for inflammatory

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1711, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of inflammatory was circa 1711

Cite this Entry

“Inflammatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inflammatory. Accessed 25 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

inflammatory

adjective
in·​flam·​ma·​to·​ry in-ˈflam-ə-ˌtōr-ē How to pronounce inflammatory (audio)
-ˌtȯr-
1
: stirring up anger, disorder, or rebellion
inflammatory speeches
2
: causing or accompanied by inflammation
inflammatory diseases

Medical Definition

inflammatory

adjective
in·​flam·​ma·​to·​ry in-ˈflam-ə-ˌtōr-ē, -ˌtȯr- How to pronounce inflammatory (audio)
: accompanied by or tending to cause inflammation
inflammatory diseases

Legal Definition

inflammatory

noun
in·​flam·​ma·​to·​ry
in-ˈfla-mə-ˌtōr-ē
: tending to cause anger, animosity, or indignation
the use of an alias by a defendant is…almost always inflammatoryF. D. Doucette

Note: Evidence, and especially photographic evidence, may be deemed inadmissible if its inflammatory nature seriously outweighs its probative value or relevance. The mere fact that evidence is graphic or gruesome, however, is not enough to render it inadmissible.

More from Merriam-Webster on inflammatory

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!