1
2
as in firebrand
a person who stirs up public feelings especially of discontent
blamed the protests on outside incendiaries who were intent on overthrowing the government
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in provocative
tending to excite political disorder or insurrection
recklessly made incendiary remarks during a period of heightened racial tensions
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 incendiary
Bill Reinhard, New York Daily News, 26 Jan. 2024
The fire marshal’s investigation indicated that the cause of the fire, which started in an interior hallway, was an incendiary.
—Aegis Staff Report, Baltimore Sun, 23 Jan. 2024
Lolita C. Baldor, Arkansas Online, 15 June 2025
To understand race relations in South Africa, Mr. Trump shouldn’t pay attention to Mr. Malema’s incendiary remarks, explained the country’s minister of agriculture, John Steenhuisen, who is white.
—Kate Bartlett, Christian Science Monitor, 9 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for incendiary
Noun
Aiyuk is the next incendiary to go off, especially if Deebo Samuel can’t go.
—Bill Reinhard, New York Daily News, 26 Jan. 2024
The fire marshal’s investigation indicated that the cause of the fire, which started in an interior hallway, was an incendiary.
—Aegis Staff Report, Baltimore Sun, 23 Jan. 2024
Adjective
Earlier this week, Trump raised eyebrows during a speech at Fort Bragg when members of the 82nd Airborne Division, who were directed to stand behind Trump, booed and cheered during his incendiary remarks, including condemnation of his predecessor Joe Biden.
—Lolita C. Baldor, Arkansas Online, 15 June 2025
To understand race relations in South Africa, Mr. Trump shouldn’t pay attention to Mr. Malema’s incendiary remarks, explained the country’s minister of agriculture, John Steenhuisen, who is white.
—Kate Bartlett, Christian Science Monitor, 9 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for incendiary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for incendiary
Noun
-
Over the years, Young Noble helped carry the group’s torch, contributing to multiple albums and collaborative projects.—
Preezy Brown,
VIBE.com,
7 July 2025
-
Claiborne’s successor, former council member Jeff Syracuse, carried the torch to secure funding for the separate event center.—
Austin Hornbostel,
The Tennessean,
4 July 2025
Noun
-
The insult to business found its leader in former FTC chief Lina Khan, a 36-year-old populist firebrand who was an anathema to business and tried to check its every move.—
Jim Cramer,
CNBC,
30 June 2025
-
Former Trump adviser and conservative firebrand Steve Bannon told the Christian Science Monitor at a breakfast event on Wednesday that Israel can finish its task in Iran without roping in the U.S. military.—
Alexis Simendinger,
The Hill,
20 June 2025
Adjective
-
These songs were birthed before social media algorithms shaped the direction of popular music, when singles and their accompanying videos had less winks, less meta commentary, less need to be provocative.—
Clarence A. Haynes
July 3,
Literary Hub,
3 July 2025
-
The film is provocative, if gently so, in suggesting to consider how a radical was made, and that mistreatment and bias in the West can be a contributing factor.—
Steven Zeitchik,
HollywoodReporter,
1 July 2025
Noun
-
The Houthis paused attacks until the U.S. launched a broad assault against the rebels in mid-March.—
Sydney Lake,
Fortune,
8 July 2025
-
Shortly after that, Israeli airstrikes on Iranian weapons shipments to Hezbollah across neighboring Syria — at the time, a key ally of Iran — weakened the dictatorship of President Bashar al-Assad, who was overthrown last December by rebels.—
James Hider,
NPR,
7 July 2025
Adjective
-
The inflammatory comments come shortly after Musk had promised improvements to Grok’s operations.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
9 July 2025
-
The White House called on congressional Democrats to tone down inflammatory language after a gunman on Monday opened fire at Border Patrol agents at an annex facility in McAllen, Texas.—
Alexandra Koch,
FOXNews.com,
8 July 2025
Noun
-
The warning issue June 11 said terrorist and insurgent groups regularly attacked Iraqi security forces and civilians and anti-U.S. militias threatened U.S. citizens and international companies.—
Brendan Cole,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 June 2025
-
The Iranian regime has held Americans hostage and supported terrorists and insurgents who have killed U.S. service members in Lebanon and Iraq.—
Reid Smith,
Foreign Affairs,
18 June 2025
Noun
-
Trump occupies the center of a movement, whereas Musk is a chief provocateur for that movement.—
Andy Meek,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2025
-
Shocks to your sense of emotional security awaken your inner provocateur as Mars and Uranus clash!—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
15 June 2025
Noun
-
Today, as fears of authoritarianism and political demagogues have been unexpectedly rekindled, certain episodes are again recalled, especially those with political and social themes – which were contained within at least 1/3 of the total produced.—
Jody Mamone,
Hartford Courant,
21 June 2025
-
Four women have accused the professional kickboxer-turned-internet demagogue of rape, in a historic UK civil suit.—
Sana Noor Haq,
CNN Money,
10 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Incendiary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/incendiary. Accessed 13 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share