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

Relevance

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 disease savaged the American economy, set back the education of a generation of American children, inflamed political divisions, and undermined confidence in vital public health protections, including vaccination. — David Blumenthal, STAT, 20 July 2026 This highly reactive chemical can inflame our lungs, causing muscles to constrict and making breathing painful, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. — Kasha Patel, CNN Money, 17 July 2026 Russia has used troll farms, fake social-media personas, and hacked materials to inflame political divisions in the United States, most notably during the 2016 campaign. — Eric Cortellessa, Time, 14 July 2026 The contradictions of their closeness aren’t papered over; the unease is allowed to linger, inflamed and ineradicable. — Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 9 July 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
  • Speaking to them on the phone is infuriating since most of the conversation is about what’s going on with Kaden.
    — Jeanne Phillips, Mercury News, 17 July 2026
  • A week before Wembanyama agreed to that contract, the Boston Celtics traded Jaylen Brown to the division-rival Philadelphia 76ers for a surprisingly meager package, which infuriated much of their fanbase.
    — Bryan Toporek, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
Definition of infuriate
Verb
  • The video shows buildings burning near the Behbahan Northwest Airport in the central Khuzestan province.
    — Arpita Dasika, CNN Money, 22 July 2026
  • Indigenous filmmakers and screen storytellers often feel pressure to burn sage and show feathers, Riedel says.
    — Jennie Punter, Variety, 21 July 2026
Definition of burn
Verb
  • However, the cyclops was a son of Poseidon, and this attack angered the sea god.
    — Tanya Fedak, Variety, 18 July 2026
  • News reporting about the new plane’s security deficiencies angered the president and triggered a sprawling leak investigation.
    — Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 16 July 2026
Definition of anger
Verb
  • Continue reading … IN OTHER NEWS DINING HABITS — Actor declares one popular fry 'aren't fries,' igniting fierce online debate.
    — , FOXNews.com, 20 July 2026
  • Golden State went on a 12-0 run from that point, capped off by a deep 3-pointer from Veronica Burton to give the Valkyries a 68-65 lead and ignite the Chase Center crowd.
    — Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 19 July 2026
Definition of ignite
Verb
  • When Odysseus meets Sinon’s ghost — enraged by the circumstances of his death outside Troy — at the entrance to the underworld during his voyage home, Sinon warns Odysseus of the dangers his family faces back in Ithaca.
    — Tommy McArdle, PEOPLE, 17 July 2026
  • Year in and year out, in incidents small and noticeably larger, refinery accidents enraged neighbors and attracted regulators.
    — Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 15 July 2026
Definition of enrage
Verb
  • Deadly wildfires scorched a record-breaking swath of the state.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 21 July 2026
  • Since sunrise, the hillside has appeared scorched, with firefighters still working to extinguish the fire.
    — Latoya Gayle, PEOPLE, 20 July 2026
Definition of scorch
Verb
  • Indoor air can carry particles and gases that irritate growing lungs and airways, making breathing problems and infections more likely.
    — Dr. Lauren Zajac, Boston Herald, 19 July 2026
  • Formaldehyde can irritate our eyes, throats, noses and lungs, but can also cause cancer — suggesting that exposure to persistent wildfire smoke could become more toxic as time goes on.
    — Kasha Patel, CNN Money, 17 July 2026
Definition of irritate
Verb
  • Her spot at the support group, which now lights a blue candle with her name etched onto it before every meeting.
    — Jo Yurcaba, NBC news, 18 July 2026
  • However, a handful of the rocket’s 33 Raptor engines failed to light at the vehicle’s ignition, and therefore the launch attempt was aborted automatically.
    — Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 17 July 2026
Definition of light

Browse Nearby Words

infixing
inflame
inflamed
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Inflame.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inflame. Accessed 24 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on inflame

Nglish: Translation of inflame for Spanish Speakers

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!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of itinerant

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 24

Why do we say 'fly off the handle'?
See More

Popular

See More

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
chain-question-mark
Missing Link Quiz July 2026 Five seconds to figure out the word that fits bot...
See All