as in provocative
tending to excite political disorder or insurrection
the restless crowd was stirred up by the inflammatory rhetoric
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 inflammatory
TikTok this week removed an inflammatory anti-Israel video posted by celebrity beauty mogul and influencer Huda Kattan.
—
Elizabeth Wagmeister, CNN Money, 3 Aug. 2025
When someone has chronic hand eczema, their immune system sends too many inflammatory signals to the skin.
—Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 1 Aug. 2025
Sugar feeds the wrong kinds of bacteria, including Candida, yeast, and other inflammatory microbes.
—Jordi Lippe-McGraw, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2025
Over time, this can trigger an inflammatory response in your child’s body.
—Laura Lu, Parents, 30 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for inflammatory
Elizabeth Wagmeister, CNN Money, 3 Aug. 2025
When someone has chronic hand eczema, their immune system sends too many inflammatory signals to the skin.
—Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 1 Aug. 2025
Sugar feeds the wrong kinds of bacteria, including Candida, yeast, and other inflammatory microbes.
—Jordi Lippe-McGraw, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2025
Over time, this can trigger an inflammatory response in your child’s body.
—Laura Lu, Parents, 30 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for inflammatory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inflammatory
Adjective
-
Palihapitiya’s perspective, while provocative, reflects a growing skepticism among some technologists about the durability of traditional intellectual property laws in the face of generative AI.—
Paulo Carvão,
Forbes.com,
12 Aug. 2025
-
The movie was a hit among the critical community when it was released, with most noting how Melancholia departed from some of von Trier’s earlier, more provocative work.—
Sara Netzley,
EW.com,
10 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
In 1735, dissident publisher John Peter Zenger was charged with seditious libel for criticizing New York’s royal governor.—
Mike Fox,
Chicago Tribune,
14 May 2025
-
After a jury found him and three other members of the right-wing militia guilty of seditious conspiracy, he was sentenced in June 2023 to serve four and a half years in prison.—
Bayliss Wagner,
Austin American Statesman,
30 July 2025
Adjective
-
The latest sales figures underscored some of the challenges facing the company, which continues to face stiff competition, particularly from Chinese EV manufacturers, and reputational damage from Musk’s incendiary rhetoric and relationship with U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration.—
Sam Meredith,
CNBC,
11 Aug. 2025
-
Arson – To unlawfully and intentionally damage or attempt to damage any real or personal property of another person or entity by fire or incendiary device.—
Baltimore Sun staff,
Baltimore Sun,
11 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Inflammatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inflammatory. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share