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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
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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
Peter D'abrosca, FOXNews.com, 12 Apr. 2025
Arson – To unlawfully and intentionally damage or attempt to damage any real or personal property of another person or entity by fire or incendiary device.
—Baltimore Sun Staff, Baltimore Sun, 11 Apr. 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
Nelson was later found in possession of materials used to produce additional incendiary weapons, including a container of gasoline, bottles, and wick materials, on Feb. 24, prosecutors said.
—Peter D'abrosca, FOXNews.com, 12 Apr. 2025
Arson – To unlawfully and intentionally damage or attempt to damage any real or personal property of another person or entity by fire or incendiary device.
—Baltimore Sun Staff, Baltimore Sun, 11 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for incendiary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for incendiary
Noun
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The disruption left spectators using torches on their phones to navigate darkness indoors.—
Charlie Eccleshare,
New York Times,
28 Apr. 2025
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The Private Life of Henry VIII (presented in conjunction with a tribute to the BFI); 1925’s Harold Lloyd classic The Freshman; 1930’s Morocco and the Marx Brothers’ Animal Crackers; and 1935’s Diamond Jim (with an intro from Leonard Maltin, who keeps the torch burning for early cinema).—
Pete Hammond,
Deadline,
24 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The senator’s appearance at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival is consistent with his popularity among young progressives who admire him as an uncompromising and outspoken firebrand.—
Matthew Mpoke Bigg,
New York Times,
13 Apr. 2025
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Buchanan wore his Nixon loyalty as a badge of honor throughout his career as a conservative firebrand.—
Made by History,
TIME,
24 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Will Lai take provocative actions that demand a response?—
Ian Bremmer,
Time,
26 Apr. 2025
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Trump's threats shift Canada's election, boosting Liberals under Carney Trump's recent trade war moves and provocative remarks about Canada have unexpectedly transformed the country's upcoming election, helping the Liberal Party, previously trailing, gain momentum heading into Monday's vote.—
Amanda Castro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Apr. 2025
Noun
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In confrontations with both India and Iran, Pakistan has consistently denied offering safe haven to transnational rebels at a time when the country was struggling to stem a deadly wave of attacks by insurgents against its own soldiers and civilians.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Apr. 2025
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Many Muslim Kashmiris support the rebels’ goal of uniting the territory, either under Pakistani rule or as an independent country.—
Aijaz Hussain,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Teo notes that a 2017 study found that an AIP diet yielded some improvements in symptom relief and inflammatory markers in people with Crohn’s disease and UC.—
Sarah Garone,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
25 Apr. 2025
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Their inflammatory markers were monitored through blood, urine, and stool samples, and colon polyps were examined through high-definition colonoscopies.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Meanwhile, the insurgents attacking the American soldiers are truly faceless.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
11 Apr. 2025
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The mission began in fairly standard form: The SEALs infiltrated a bleak and dusty corner of Ramadi that happened to overlook a marketplace and, unbeknownst to them, also sat across from the lair of the Iraqi insurgents.—
Fred Schruers,
IndieWire,
10 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Filmmaker, actor, writer and good-natured provocateur John Waters turned 79 this week.—
Jessica Gelt,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Apr. 2025
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Yoko, a new biography about Ono by David Sheff, opens with a prologue about Cut Piece, introducing her—as provocateur, martyr, and social experimenter—through the lens of her own creation.—
Beatrice Loayza,
ARTnews.com,
26 Mar. 2025
Noun
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That’s classically how a demagogue works and how a demagogue becomes a tyrant.—
Sean Illing,
Vox,
22 Feb. 2025
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And so political leaders, demagogues in particular, can provide simple answers to things that seem very complicated and that stir people in a way that can be directed.—
Sean Illing,
Vox,
22 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Incendiary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/incendiary. Accessed 1 May. 2025.
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