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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
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
Nate Jones, Vulture, 31 Jan. 2026
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, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for 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
Getting closer to the realm of good-faith debate are questions about whether PTA’s mock-Pynchonian wackiness is the proper tone with which to handle such incendiary material.
—Nate Jones, Vulture, 31 Jan. 2026
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, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for incendiary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for incendiary
Noun
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Across the island of Sumatra, after evening prayers, many boys and girls parade through the streets, carrying torches and playing Islamic songs.—
Mariam Fam,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Feb. 2026
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Like his mentors before him, Jackson has passed the torch.—
Donna Brazile,
Washington Post,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
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When his teams didn’t entertain, Moe became the show, this cursing, grumbling, rumpled 6-foot-5 firebrand who dressed like a ’70s private detective, a disheveled anti-hero who detested suits.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
18 Feb. 2026
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The party is led by veteran hard-left firebrand Jean-Luc Mélenchon, a former Trotskyist who stood for the presidency in 2012, 2017 and 2022 and failed to advance to the decisive run-off round.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
18 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Fennell is a polarizing filmmaker, with a self-consciously provocative streak.—
Hannah Jocelyn,
New Yorker,
13 Feb. 2026
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In her provocative new spin on Emily Brontë’s 1847 novel, the Oscar-winning filmmaker announces from the get-go that this isn’t your grandmother’s windswept Gothic romance.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Lucas’s focus on getting paid brings him in for the book’s harshest criticism; Fischer casts him as a rebel turned sellout.—
Michael O’Donnell,
The Atlantic,
10 Feb. 2026
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On the other hand, Bennu is the rebel — its glycine likely originated in frozen ice exposed to harsh radiation in the outer reaches of the solar system.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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However, the antioxidant properties in sulfites can be beneficial and safe to consume for those who don’t experience an inflammatory response.—
Cristina Mutchler,
Verywell Health,
17 Feb. 2026
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For folks with highly sensitive digestive tracts, like those with inflammatory bowl disease or irritable bowel syndrome, prebiotic sodas may have a greater impact.—
Greta Cross,
USA Today,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
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In the northeast, insurgent groups exploit institutional weaknesses and economic vulnerability.—
Yusuf Tuggar,
semafor.com,
16 Feb. 2026
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Bass, politically bruised over her handling of last year’s devastating Palisades fire, now faces an insurgent campaign from one of the City Council’s savviest players.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Yet Anti Fund faces pressure to overcome Paul’s provocateur image.—
Jake Angelo,
Fortune,
14 Feb. 2026
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Last month, the right-wing provocateur appeared on Megyn Kelly’s show to discuss his new video series, Real History With Matt Walsh.—
Thomas Chatterton Williams,
The Atlantic,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
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After failing as an entrepreneur in America, and after an interlude in Asia in an attempt (also failed) to build a railroad on the Vietnam-China border, Morès returned to France to pursue a political career as a populist leader and an antisemitic demagogue.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
17 Feb. 2026
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This Jesse Jackson was a dangerous man, a radical, a demagogue, someone who thrived off fomenting racial division.—
Adam Serwer,
The Atlantic,
17 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Incendiary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/incendiary. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
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