variants
also enflame
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of inflame
In some cases, such as the moments leading up to the fatal shooting on Saturday of Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care nurse, the use of pepper spray appeared to inflame confrontations.
—
Martin Kaste, NPR, 28 Jan. 2026
The ardor of contention, the pride of victory, the despair of success, the memory of past injuries and the fear of future dangers all contribute to inflame the mind and to silence the voice of pity.
—David Brooks, Mercury News, 24 Jan. 2026
Why vocabulary avoidance creates the space populists fill European governments spent a decade learning that sloppy language inflames prejudice.
—Güney Yıldız, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026
In 2021, Heart Ego inflamed her sound with shocks of color and dance pop as energetic as Cowgirl Clue.
—Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 22 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for inflame
Martin Kaste, NPR, 28 Jan. 2026
The ardor of contention, the pride of victory, the despair of success, the memory of past injuries and the fear of future dangers all contribute to inflame the mind and to silence the voice of pity.
—David Brooks, Mercury News, 24 Jan. 2026
Why vocabulary avoidance creates the space populists fill European governments spent a decade learning that sloppy language inflames prejudice.
—Güney Yıldız, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026
In 2021, Heart Ego inflamed her sound with shocks of color and dance pop as energetic as Cowgirl Clue.
—Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 22 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for inflame
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inflame
Verb
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But Newsom’s decision to leave LaMalfa’s seat vacant as long as possible has infuriated California Republicans.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Jan. 2026
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Besides playing with his usual defensive edginess, Larsson chipped in 16 points (7-for-9 shooting), nine assists, six rebounds and a steal and twice managed to infuriate normally mild-manner veteran DeMar DeRozan, who body checked him to the ground on one sequence and clotheslined him on another.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Melody Townsend was convicted after the body of her daughter, Ana Marie Townsend, was found by first responders wrapped in plastic inside the attic of a burned, abandoned home in the 15400 block of Hamlin Avenue in Markham in 2017.—
Jeramie Bizzle,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
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When James Watt improved steam engine efficiency, factories did not burn the same amount of coal to do the same work.—
Jon Markman,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Many of the Italians who chanted and blew whistles near the grand stone arch in the Piazza XXV Aprile said they had been horrified and angered by images and videos on social media showing ICE agents operating violently in Minneapolis.—
Brian Mann,
NPR,
31 Jan. 2026
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Last year, Congress passed legislation at the request of the president to rescind $9 billion in foreign aid and public broadcasting funding, angering Democrats and some Republicans.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Ventura County Fire Chief Dustin Gardner announced Friday that his department has reached an agreement with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection for an independent review of operations during the initial wildfire, which ignited and was contained in October 2024.—
Richard Winton,
Los Angeles Times,
31 Jan. 2026
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Investigators said the fire was caused in part by a blaze that ignited near part of Xcel’s electrical distribution system, where a power line became loose.—
Judith Kohler,
Denver Post,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The killing of Alex Pretti by federal agents in Minneapolis last Saturday has enraged many people across the country.—
Frank Langfitt,
NPR,
29 Jan. 2026
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Duran booted a water bottle on his way down the tunnel while manager Unai Emery was enraged by Newcastle assistant Jason Tindall putting his finger to his lips and telling the Spaniard to be quiet.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
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During Tuesday's quarterfinal between Aryna Sabalenka and Iva Jovic - the last match played under scorching sun - the players held ice packs to their heads and portable fans to their faces during breaks in play.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
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Additionally, when baking at high heat (above 425°F), parchment paper could scorch or become brittle.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
25 Jan. 2026
Verb
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A lot of anti-aging skincare contains ingredients like retinol that can be drying and irritating, but Cetaphil has a possible solution.—
Lauren Taylor,
Southern Living,
30 Jan. 2026
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Cold outdoor air plus active heat indoors can pull moisture from both the scalp and hair shaft, which can be irritating.—
Helen Carefoot,
Flow Space,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The streets are begrimed by factory smoke, fecund with horse dung and lit by lanterns.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Jan. 2026
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No one even lives here, said Chuky, trying to light a cigarette but foiled by a laugh.—
Jonathan Miles,
Harpers Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Inflame.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inflame. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
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