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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 The gendered backlash spilled offline into a recent council meeting and is inflaming political divisions within College Park. — Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 22 Sep. 2026 Small bumps can also be blemishes caused by clogged or inflamed pores, particularly on acne-prone areas like the chest and back. — Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 19 Sep. 2026 After a stabbing in Southport, England, in 2024, viral posts falsely claiming that the suspect was a Muslim and an undocumented migrant spread rapidly to millions via X and other platforms, inflaming the riots that ensued. — Anne Applebaum, The Atlantic, 14 Sep. 2026 Turley has argued that lawyers have an ethical obligation not to inflame public anger against jurors who exercise independent judgment during deliberations. — Brittany Miller , Bryan Llenas, FOXNews.com, 11 Sep. 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
  • Some administration officials argue that Washington is merely trying to avoid unnecessarily infuriating Beijing.
    — David Sacks, Foreign Affairs, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Some descendants worry that the new research from Kurin and his colleagues will only infuriate die-hard Jefferson apologists further.
    — Andrew Lawler, The Atlantic, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of infuriate
Verb
  • Oura might not be under the same pressure to access capital as a cash-burning startup.
    — Morgan Chittum, Fortune, 6 Oct. 2026
  • The scene is a sensory one, with layered cowhide rugs, leather armchairs, a wood-burning fire, and twinkling chandeliers that were original to the Pulitzers’ home.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of burn
Verb
  • The housing crunch has been simmering for years in Spain, eating into household budgets and angering voters.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Although the Biennale eventually restored the name, the decision angered China, which claims sovereignty over Taiwan.
    — Vivienne Chow, ARTnews.com, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of anger
Verb
  • Thousands of spectators lined the Chicago River to watch floating mock-ups of Victorian houses become engulfed by flames — a la the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 — but the buildings failed to ignite.
    — Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 4 Oct. 2026
  • The discovery is the latest instance of CDE leadership telling employees bedbugs are not in the building, only for more to be discovered at a later date and igniting doubt among CDE’s workforce on whether treatment is effective.
    — Corey Schmidt, Sacbee.com, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of ignite
Verb
  • Counsel was enraged that his gambit was foiled by one jury holdout on the insanity argument.
    — Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 2 Oct. 2026
  • That day in August, the woman was awakened by Ross, who was enraged by a photo she was tagged in on Instagram, according to Ross’ arrest report.
    — Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of enrage
Verb
  • Crockett's ex-Dem colleague goes scorched earth after endorsement snub.
    — , FOXNews.com, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Video from the scene showed the front of the Guatemalan store scorched.
    — Alexa Herrera, CBS News, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of scorch
Verb
  • The first step to brighter-looking underarms is figuring out what might be irritating them in the first place.
    — Glamour, Glamour, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Another person may approach the goal differently, which could be useful rather than irritating.
    — Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of irritate
Verb
  • When their demands were met and extra staff sent to the school, the strike ended, but by then the match had been lit.
    — Melissa Bell, CNN Money, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Researchers learned fumes accumulated in restaurants because pilot lights (small flames inside gas stoves that stay continuously lit) continued to burn gas after kitchens closed and ventilation fans were off.
    — Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of light

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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 8 Oct. 2026.

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