incendiary 1 of 2

Definition of incendiarynext

incendiary

2 of 2

adjective

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
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
Photo by Barry Brecheisen For blues guitarist Samantha Fish, capturing the spirit of her incendiary live sets was a priority heading into the recording of her ninth studio album, last year’s Paper Doll. Jim Ryan, Forbes.com, 11 June 2026 That’s when Mace gave an incendiary presentation on the House floor. Moira Donegan, New Yorker, 9 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for incendiary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for incendiary
Noun
  • When Wambach retired, Rapinoe picked up the torch and became a vocal advocate for social justice.
    Beth Ann Mayer, Parents, 20 June 2026
  • This year's games were the first to feature a coast-to-coast torch run, spanning more than a dozen states over the course of several weeks.
    Adam Duxter, CBS News, 20 June 2026
Noun
  • What began as a harmless project took a turn when Ben Shapiro, the right-wing firebrand, made a reaction video to one of Uncle Pappy’s clips in June 2024, taking his comedic comments at face value.
    Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 June 2026
  • Before releasing his own albums, Ulmer played electric guitar in free-jazz firebrand Ornette Coleman’s Prime Time touring ensemble.
    Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 9 June 2026
Adjective
  • Once moved out of the White House, Obama’s fashion choices shifted noticeably away from traditional styles and comparatively conservative first lady silhouettes, towards far more provocative looks that suggested a bold new chapter.
    Fiona Sinclair Scott, CNN Money, 17 June 2026
  • Kuzovkov had been living in exile in Poland since 2021, and he was known for his provocative portraits of Putin, Kadyrov, and other political figures.
    News Desk, Artforum, 17 June 2026
Noun
  • Mahamat Idriss Déby, 42, seized power in Chad after his father, Idriss Déby, was killed fighting rebels in 2021, before winning elections in 2024.
    Farai Mutsaka, Los Angeles Times, 18 June 2026
  • The group has been responsible for current President Faustin-Archange Touadéra’s security and for fighting rebel groups.
    ABC News, ABC News, 16 June 2026
Adjective
  • Results from oral microbiome testing also revealed a link between blood pressure decrease and fewer inflammatory oral bacteria.
    Christina Manian, Health, 23 June 2026
  • Espaillat has drawn attention to inflammatory social media posts Avila Chevalier made in her 20s, attempting to portray her as an unserious candidate.
    ABC News, ABC News, 22 June 2026
Noun
  • But what local powers must be surrendered to the insurgent American collectivity?
    Ann Manov, Harpers Magazine, 23 June 2026
  • The province has been the center of a long-running separatist insurgency, with insurgents demanding independence or greater control over local resources.
    ABC News, ABC News, 22 June 2026
Noun
  • Objection’s Founder and CEO is Aron D’Souza, an Australian entrepreneur and provocateur best known as the mastermind behind Thiel’s litigation strategy against Gawker, which involved a patient, extensive search for the ideal proxy plaintiff to sink the online news outlet.
    Gary Baum, HollywoodReporter, 12 June 2026
  • Wilde’s character, who is a boundary-pushing artist and provocateur, pairs the intimates with a matching swipe of red lipstick, black liquid eyeliner, and a black leather belt and skirt.
    Lara Walsh, InStyle, 10 June 2026
Noun
  • 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
  • But demeaning our brand through association with vulgar demagogues is a losing strategy.
    Alma Hernandez, New York Daily News, 1 May 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Incendiary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/incendiary. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on incendiary

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster