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 Appendicitis is considered a medical emergency and occurs when the organ gets sore or inflamed. — Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 19 Aug. 2026 Psoriasis is a chronic disease in which the immune system becomes overactive, causing inflamed, scaly patches of skin. — Grace Gavilanes, PEOPLE, 18 Aug. 2026 Mumps can cause deafness and inflame the brain, pancreas, testicles, ovaries and breast tissue. — Los Angeles Times, 15 Aug. 2026 In the late 1980s, surging food prices inflamed the popular discontent behind the Tiananmen Square protests, which resulted in the massacre of protesters in 1989. — Caitlin Welsh, Foreign Affairs, 11 Aug. 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
  • But maybe that low point and the unexpected departure of Stokes and the return of Joe Root as Test captain ahead of the white-ball skipper has proved a turning point for one of the most gifted but infuriating batters of his generation.
    — Paul Newman, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026
  • There are a variety of reasons for this — from reasonable to infuriating — why those who paid higher prices won’t be getting refunds.
    — Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of infuriate
Verb
  • Fans of Dolly Parton have erected a memorial at the legendary singer-songwriter’s star on Nashville’s Music City Walk of Fame, placing flowers, cards and candles that continue to burn into the morning hours.
    — Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2026
  • At least five structures are known to have been burned, and additional damage assessments are expected to be conducted later Tuesday today.
    — Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of burn
Verb
  • That angered Michigan Democrats who were frustrated with El-Sayed, and brought Jeffries and other Democrats into the fray, putting the candidate El-Sayed had invested the most in on the defensive.
    — David Weigel, semafor.com, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The president is defending the data center boom as GOP officials across the country turn against projects that have angered voters.
    — Cat Zakrzewski, Washington Post, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of anger
Verb
  • The attack helped ignite the East Coast–West Coast rap rivalry that many believe eventually contributed to his murder.
    — Lisa Respers France, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Europe’s summer wildfires are igniting and uncovering rusted bombs and mines from WWI and WWII, turning old battlefields into hazardous zones for firefighters and nearby communities.
    — Sam McNeil, Los Angeles Times, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of ignite
Verb
  • The comment at a rally last Sunday titillated, provoked and enraged different audiences simultaneously, all but guaranteeing saturation news coverage and even more attention.
    — Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 19 Aug. 2026
  • North Carolina and Bill Belichick got zero, no doubt enraging girlfriend Jordon Hudson.
    — Greg Cote August 2, Miami Herald, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of enrage
Verb
  • While blistering heat continues to scorch much of the nation's southern tier, the Midwest and Northeast are enjoying a brief fall preview.
    — Doyle Rice, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Rémi Lecoutre, deputy head gardener at the Claude Monet House and Gardens museum, gave France 24 a tour, which revealed the nasturtiums to be completely wiped out; many other flowers appeared scorched or dead.
    — News Desk, Artforum, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of scorch
Verb
  • With contact dermatitis, a product like a soap or chemical irritates the skin or causes an allergic reaction, leading to symptoms like itching, discoloration, swelling, or even blisters.
    — Ayren Jackson-Cannady, Allure, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Be sure to use a fragrance-free, gentle detergent to avoid irritating sensitive skin with any residue.
    — Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of irritate
Verb
  • The simulations assumed a traffic density of 50-70 vehicles per kilometer—not rush hour but not light traffic either.
    — IEEE Spectrum, IEEE Spectrum, 20 Aug. 2026
  • The stairs and elevator to light rail platforms on that side also will be shut down.
    — Madison Smalstig, Sacbee.com, 20 Aug. 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 29 Aug. 2026.

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