incendiary 1 of 2

noun

Definition of incendiarynext
1
as in torch
a person who deliberately and unlawfully sets fire to a building or other property firefighters caught the incendiary, who was watching the effects of his handiwork

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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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

incendiary

2 of 2

adjective

in-ˈsen-dē-ˌer-ē How to pronounce incendiary (audio)
as in provocative
tending to excite political disorder or insurrection recklessly made incendiary remarks during a period of heightened racial tensions

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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
Noun
Ukrainian officers also accused Russia of using incendiaries in attacks on the city of Bakhmut last year. — Brad Lendon, CNN, 7 Sep. 2024 But the only traditional incendiaries in the story are the radical Protestant preacher Anne Askew (Erin Doherty), a friend of Katherine’s, and Henry’s minion, Bishop Stephen Gardiner, played by an inquisitorial Simon Russell Beale. — Michael O'Sullivan, Washington Post, 14 June 2024
Adjective
More recently, drones have been used to drop incendiary mixtures that ignite apartment buildings and residential blocks. — David Kirichenko, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026 The incendiary comments were roundly criticized on social media but went unaddressed throughout the remainder of the broadcast. — Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 23 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for incendiary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for incendiary
  1. torch
  2. firebrand
  3. provocative
  4. rebel
  5. inflammatory
  6. insurgent
  7. provocateur
  8. demagogue
Noun
  • The husband-and-wife owners discreetly deliver coffee and breakfast each morning, then light each site’s campfire and tiki torches in the evening.
    — Tree Meinch, Midwest Living, 11 July 2026
  • The anthem is a passing of the torch from original voice actress Auli'i Cravalho to new star Catherine Laga'aia, with a playful rap verse from Dwayne Johnson's Maui thrown in for good measure.
    — Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 10 July 2026
Definition of torch
Noun
  • The 25-year-old firebrand made a critical tag at the plate to prevent the go-ahead run from scoring in the ninth inning and found himself in the middle of an incident where the benches briefly cleared in the 10th.
    — Kyle Glaser, Oc Register, 7 July 2026
  • The Bongino Report, the website of the right-wing firebrand who would eventually serve a brief term as deputy director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, claimed that Check My Ads was violating tax rules.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 30 June 2026
Definition of firebrand
Adjective
  • The Shards could similarly prove to be a sensationalized and provocative romp, given the tone of the source material and the general vibe of both Ellis’ literary works and Murphy’s shows.
    — Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 14 July 2026
  • The former leader remains jailed while appealing a life sentence for rebellion and a 30-year term over provocative drone flights, a saga that has tested South Korea’s democratic institutions.
    — Kim Tong-Hyung, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026
Definition of provocative
Noun
  • Mali’s junta has accused Algeria of backing local extremist rebels who are linked to the Muslim militant group al-Qaida.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 11 July 2026
  • That was the year the United States went to war with Spain in Cuba alongside Cuban and Puerto Rican rebels and in the Philippines.
    — Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
Definition of rebel
Adjective
  • It can also be used in patients who are at low risk but may have risk factors, such as a family history of inflammatory conditions, to try to guide when to start treatment to lower cholesterol and prevent heart attacks.
    — Mira Miller, Verywell Health, 10 July 2026
  • Choose calming, barrier-supportive ingredients – Soothing serums and creams can help to interrupt the inflammatory cascade, especially for those with sensitive skin.
    — Leslie Baumann, Miami Herald, 9 July 2026
Definition of inflammatory
Noun
  • But Democratic leaders fear that the insurgent candidates risk blowing winnable races for Democrats with messages considered too radical for most voters.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 13 July 2026
  • Across the country, insurgent candidates-—-perhaps most notably Zohran Mamdani in New York City—have found traction by presenting themselves as unapologetic fighters willing to challenge both Republicans and their own party’s leadership.
    — Nik Popli, Time, 8 July 2026
Definition of insurgent
Noun
  • The Onion is pressing ahead with its takeover of InfoWars, the conspiracy-laden media empire formerly owned by far-right provocateur Alex Jones.
    — Drew Pittock, USA Today, 2 July 2026
  • The height of her popularity came during her 12-year relationship with French provocateur Serge Gainsbourg.
    — Michelle Duncan, Architectural Digest, 1 July 2026
Definition of provocateur
Noun
  • The Constitution was crafted out of fear — fear of concentrated power, factional dominance, corruption, demagogues, unchecked executives, and the use of public office for personal gain.
    — Paul Oestreicher, Hartford Courant, 10 June 2026
  • But those standards can be easily stretched by demagogues, and a simple majority on the committee is enough to ban a party, though a panel of nine Supreme Court justices can overturn the decision on appeal.
    — Bernard Avishai, New Yorker, 18 May 2026
Definition of demagogue

Browse Nearby Words

incendiaries
incendiary
incense
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Cite this Entry

“Incendiary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/incendiary. Accessed 15 Jul. 2026.

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