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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
Lora Kolodny, CNBC, 7 Oct. 2025
After the commotion, Geri was eventually handcuffed and detained by officers, who searched him and discovered additional incendiary devices, court records said.
—Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 7 Oct. 2025
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
The slump has resulted, in part, from a consumer backlash against Musk, his endorsements of far-right political parties and figures, and his incendiary political rhetoric.
—Lora Kolodny, CNBC, 7 Oct. 2025
After the commotion, Geri was eventually handcuffed and detained by officers, who searched him and discovered additional incendiary devices, court records said.
—Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 7 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for incendiary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for incendiary
Noun
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As reported, Fondazione Milano Cortina 2026 already unveiled the deigns for the torch and medals of the upcoming Winter Games.—
Martino Carrera,
Footwear News,
16 Oct. 2025
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The handheld kitchen torch will need to be filled with butane before use.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
16 Oct. 2025
Noun
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But the Georgia firebrand pointed specifically to the issue of health care premiums, which are expected to skyrocket at the end of the year, when enhanced subsidies under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) are scheduled to expire.—
Mike Lillis,
The Hill,
12 Oct. 2025
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Like Bevan, Sheen is a Welsh firebrand unafraid to wear his leftist politics.—
Alexander Smith,
NBC news,
5 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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In some instances, demonstrators have displayed provocative props such as a guillotine to symbolize opposition to federal actions.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
12 Oct. 2025
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The Valiant is an incredibly provocative car.—
Morgan Korn,
ABC News,
12 Oct. 2025
Noun
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In Syria, rebels overthrew Assad last year, Israeli strikes killed Hezbollah and Hamas’ top leaders, while Iraqi militant groups faded into the background.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
12 Oct. 2025
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In Valentin's case, his love for Molina, and in Cassian's, his love for adoptive mother, Maarva (Fiona Shaw), girlfriend Bix (Adria Arjona), and the other rebels with whom he's aligned himself.—
Maureen Lee Lenker,
Entertainment Weekly,
11 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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As Allure previously reported, there were no incidents of capsular contracture, rupture, infection, malposition (implants sliding out of place), inflammatory reactions, or hematoma (blood pooling under the skin) in the Mia trial.—
Jolene Edgar,
Allure,
15 Oct. 2025
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Some of these include autoimmune diseases such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis, blood clots, inflammatory disorders, some cancers or tissue injury, explains Gharahbaghian.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
14 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The best challenger brands think like cultural insurgents.—
Erik Huberman,
Rolling Stone,
10 Oct. 2025
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Islamist insurgents have since May attacked Malian and foreign-owned businesses, including cement factories, sugar factories, and mines.—
Preeti Jha,
semafor.com,
10 Oct. 2025
Noun
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By focusing so much on the Jewish people and the Jewish state, these provocateurs have a much broader goal in mind than merely ostracizing America's small Jewish minority.—
Josh Hammer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Oct. 2025
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The Supreme Court won’t help conservative provocateur Laura Loomer take on social media companies and their advertisers who have blocked her posts.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA Today,
6 Oct. 2025
Noun
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America seems unlikely to be made great again by the demagogues of white nationalism, who cannot help but channel fury over irreversible decline at those who have been working hard, through either literal or spiritual immigration, to become American.—
Pankaj Mishra,
Harpers Magazine,
19 Sep. 2025
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Our shrinking attention span has left us vulnerable to demagogues and misinformation from every direction.—
Doug McIntyre,
Oc Register,
31 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Incendiary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/incendiary. Accessed 19 Oct. 2025.
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