inflame

verb

in-ˈflām How to pronounce inflame (audio)
variants also enflame
Definition of inflamenext
1
as in to infuriate
to make angry the newspaper editorial inflamed her enough to inspire her to dash off a letter to the editor

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to burn
to set (something) on fire a carelessly tossed cigarette inflamed the papers in the trash can

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 inflame In the late 1980s, surging food prices inflamed the popular discontent behind the Tiananmen Square protests, which resulted in the massacre of protesters in 1989. — Caitlin Welsh, Foreign Affairs, 11 Aug. 2026 The flies lay hundreds of eggs in the wounds, inflamed tissue, mucous membranes, and orifices of warm-blooded creatures. — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 7 Aug. 2026 Philly neighborhoods with a higher percentage of green areas, by contrast, have lower levels of diesel particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide and other toxic air pollutants, which inflame and irritate the respiratory system. — Mahbubur Meenar, The Conversation, 5 Aug. 2026 Chad Gable spent much of last year recovering from surgery after inflaming lucha libre fans with his El Grande Americano gimmick. — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for inflame
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inflame
  1. infuriate
  2. burn
  3. anger
  4. ignite
  5. enrage
  6. scorch
  7. irritate
  8. light
Verb
  • But maybe that low point and the unexpected departure of Stokes and the return of Joe Root as Test captain ahead of the white-ball skipper has proved a turning point for one of the most gifted but infuriating batters of his generation.
    — Paul Newman, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026
  • There are a variety of reasons for this — from reasonable to infuriating — why those who paid higher prices won’t be getting refunds.
    — Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of infuriate
Verb
  • The family ran the rescue out of their New Hampshire house until a fatal fire burned it down in 2019.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Use the interactive map below to track current wildfire activity across Florida, including real-time locations, acreage burned, and containment status.
    — David Schutz, Sun Sentinel, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of burn
Verb
  • The White House had previously angered US ranchers by quadrupling low-tariff imports of Argentine beef to cool prices.
    — Max Saltman, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2026
  • During a joint practice last summer in Houston, Moehrig decked Texans wide receiver Xavier Hutchinson on a hard but clean hit that angered a few of Hutchinson’s teammates.
    — Joseph Person, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of anger
Verb
  • The attack helped ignite the East Coast–West Coast rap rivalry that many believe eventually contributed to his murder.
    — Lisa Respers France, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Europe’s summer wildfires are igniting and uncovering rusted bombs and mines from WWI and WWII, turning old battlefields into hazardous zones for firefighters and nearby communities.
    — Sam McNeil, Los Angeles Times, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of ignite
Verb
  • The comment at a rally last Sunday titillated, provoked and enraged different audiences simultaneously, all but guaranteeing saturation news coverage and even more attention.
    — Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 19 Aug. 2026
  • North Carolina and Bill Belichick got zero, no doubt enraging girlfriend Jordon Hudson.
    — Greg Cote August 2, Miami Herald, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of enrage
Verb
  • Apparent human skeletal remains, including a jaw with the teeth still attached, were found at Lake Mead on Sunday, officials said, as water levels sink to new lows amid a drought and scorching heat in the West.
    — Mark Osborne, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Highs Friday topped out at a cool 79 degrees for Sacramento, 85 for Modesto, and only 91 for normally-scorching Fresno.
    — Sean Macaday, Sacbee.com, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of scorch
Verb
  • With contact dermatitis, a product like a soap or chemical irritates the skin or causes an allergic reaction, leading to symptoms like itching, discoloration, swelling, or even blisters.
    — Ayren Jackson-Cannady, Allure, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Be sure to use a fragrance-free, gentle detergent to avoid irritating sensitive skin with any residue.
    — Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of irritate
Verb
  • The simulations assumed a traffic density of 50-70 vehicles per kilometer—not rush hour but not light traffic either.
    — IEEE Spectrum, IEEE Spectrum, 20 Aug. 2026
  • The stairs and elevator to light rail platforms on that side also will be shut down.
    — Madison Smalstig, Sacbee.com, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of light

Browse Nearby Words

infixing
inflame
inflamed
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Cite this Entry

“Inflame.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inflame. Accessed 25 Aug. 2026.

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