inflame

verb

in-ˈflām How to pronounce inflame (audio)
variants also enflame
Definition of inflamenext
1
as in to infuriate
to make angry the newspaper editorial inflamed her enough to inspire her to dash off a letter to the editor

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to burn
to set (something) on fire a carelessly tossed cigarette inflamed the papers in the trash can

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of inflame Anthropic updates its policies to bar users being cruel to Claude, inflaming a debate about whether the company’s concern for ‘model welfare’ is wise. — Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 13 Oct. 2026 Then there’s the new electric Jaguar, a machine that inflamed the Internet and became the subject of global controversy when its conceptual precursor was revealed in late 2024. — Jason Barlow, Robb Report, 11 Oct. 2026 Democrats have been shut out of power in the House, Senate, and presidency since January 2025—the kind of situation that can inflame populist sentiment in an opposition party. — Thomas Shull, Washington Post, 9 Oct. 2026 Relying on remote technical collection could also avoid inflaming opposition by field officers who may not be prepared to take great personal risks to help the private sector. — David S. Cohen, Foreign Affairs, 8 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for inflame
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inflame
  1. infuriate
  2. burn
  3. anger
  4. ignite
  5. enrage
  6. scorch
  7. irritate
  8. light
Verb
  • The podcaster Candace Owens drove those theories, infuriating her former employer, Daily Wire founder Ben Shapiro.
    — Max Tani, semafor.com, 2 Nov. 2026
  • The decision has infuriated Democrats and threatened the party’s path to winning a Senate majority.
    — Francesca Ebel, Washington Post, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of infuriate
Verb
  • Pre-soirée, however, Vogue couldn’t resist the chance to catch a private moment with Carey and ask her some of our burning questions.
    — Christian Allaire, Vogue, 3 Nov. 2026
  • Power lines, vehicles, machinery, burning of debris and campfires can spark fires year-round.
    — Virginia Iglesias, The Conversation, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of burn
Verb
  • Soon, other aggrieved groups—farmers, trade unionists, climate activists, yellow-vest protesters angered by rising costs—joined in, and the demonstrations that followed quickly became some of France’s most widespread and explosive since 1968.
    — Maurice Samuels, New Yorker, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Employers understandably worry that narrowing health benefits will anger workers.
    — Tony Lo Sasso, STAT, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of anger
Verb
  • Poland is in the throes of a constitutional crisis as a battle over the future of the country’s highest court ignites another confrontation between the country’s president and prime minister.
    — Tim Lister, CNN Money, 1 Nov. 2026
  • Sims, who finished with 39 yards on only four carries, delivered an 8-yard touchdown run to ignite host Morgan Park to a 40-16 victory over Oak Forest in a Class 5A first-round playoff game at Stagg Stadium in Chicago.
    — Patrick Z. McGavin, Chicago Tribune, 1 Nov. 2026
Definition of ignite
Verb
  • They were enraged at the way the current administration had decimated progressive policies toward children, women, people of color, gay people and transgender people.
    — Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 23 Oct. 2026
  • The administration removed hundreds of trees from the East Potomac Golf Links over the weekend, enraging the judge.
    — Julia Boehning, The Hill, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of enrage
Verb
  • El-Sayed’s reputation is that of a know-it-all who is happy to scorch anyone who opposes him.
    — Eliza Griswold, New Yorker, 30 Oct. 2026
  • Keep the pot 12 to 18 inches away from the window to prevent sun scorch.
    — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of scorch
Verb
  • Notably, the landfill operator’s air quality monitors had repeatedly reported high levels of lung-irritating hydrogen sulfide in 2023 and 2024.
    — Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2026
  • The ingredient releases gradually overnight to restore elasticity, even out the skin tone, and minimize the appearance of wrinkles without irritating the skin.
    — Lauren Valenti, Vogue, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of irritate
Verb
  • In honor of the Sacramento Kings, the tree will be lit purple on all game nights.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 4 Nov. 2026
  • The brand, which turned 21 years old this year, brought Lagos Fashion Week to a close with a candle lit five-course meal, surrounded by an intimate crowd of celebrities, influencers, friends and industry leaders.
    — Ezreen Benissan, Vogue, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of light

Browse Nearby Words

infixing
inflame
inflamed
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Cite this Entry

“Inflame.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inflame. Accessed 5 Nov. 2026.

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