as in swelling
a condition in which a part of your body becomes red, swollen, and painful
The drug is used to reduce inflammation. Inflammation around a wound can signal an infection.
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
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 inflammation
The worst foods for spleen health are those that may contribute to inflammation, metabolic problems, or liver disease, which can, in turn, indirectly affect the spleen.
—
Amy Brownstein, Verywell Health, 5 June 2026
Omega-3s may help reduce inflammation and improve blood vessel function.
—Lindsey Desoto, Health, 4 June 2026
Winners of 15 of their last 19 and owners of the second-best record in MLB (39-22) the Dodgers boast one of the best starting staffs in baseball, this despite being without Glasnow (back spasms) for nearly a month, and getting just three innings from Snell (shoulder inflammation, elbow surgery).
—Katie Woo, New York Times, 3 June 2026
The benefit may come from weight loss, less knee pain, lower inflammation, or a combination of factors.
—Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 3 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for inflammation
Amy Brownstein, Verywell Health, 5 June 2026
Omega-3s may help reduce inflammation and improve blood vessel function.
—Lindsey Desoto, Health, 4 June 2026
Winners of 15 of their last 19 and owners of the second-best record in MLB (39-22) the Dodgers boast one of the best starting staffs in baseball, this despite being without Glasnow (back spasms) for nearly a month, and getting just three innings from Snell (shoulder inflammation, elbow surgery).
—Katie Woo, New York Times, 3 June 2026
The benefit may come from weight loss, less knee pain, lower inflammation, or a combination of factors.
—Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 3 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for inflammation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inflammation
Noun
-
More serious outcomes can include pneumonia, encephalitis — or swelling of the brain — and, in rare cases, death, according to the CDC.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
9 June 2026
-
From there, check wounds regularly for unusual swelling or discharge or a foul odor, as that might be a sign of fly larvae in wounds.—
Mateo Rosiles,
USA Today,
9 June 2026
Noun
-
After a few words of introduction, Alexis started asking Graciela and me questions about our creative processes, about the importance of surprises in art, about the relationship between photographs and stories, about memory and mourning and pain.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 May 2026
-
Hip osteoarthritis, a common cause of hip pain, affects about one in four people under the age of 85.—
Stephanie Brown,
Verywell Health,
29 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Inflammation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inflammation. Accessed 13 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
