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inflammatory

adjective

in-ˈfla-mə-ˌtȯr-ē How to pronounce inflammatory (audio)
Definition of inflammatorynext
as in provocative
tending to excite political disorder or insurrection the restless crowd was stirred up by the inflammatory rhetoric

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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 While he was being interviewed by law enforcement, White allegedly made several inflammatory and discriminatory statements toward Muslims, the complaint said. — Luke Barr, ABC News, 4 Sep. 2026 Preclinical research also suggests that quinoa saponins may reduce the production of inflammatory mediators and pro-inflammatory molecules. — Amy Brownstein, Verywell Health, 4 Sep. 2026 Sleep disturbances may also affect the body’s stress and inflammatory responses, potentially influencing digestive function. — Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 3 Sep. 2026 Sleep disturbances may also modulate stress and inflammatory pathways, influencing digestive function and bowel patterns. — Samantha Agate, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for inflammatory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inflammatory
  1. provocative
  2. seditious
  3. incendiary
Adjective
  • The early episodes, with their nervousness about FCC crackdowns and government interference in the news-gathering apparatus, suggest that American Hostage is going someplace provocative, only to have the series run out of things to say.
    — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 19 Sep. 2026
  • Sydney Sweeney sparked widespread backlash following the release of her provocative campaign for a sports trading app.
    — Tracy Wright, FOXNews.com, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of provocative
Adjective
  • Some were arrested over social media posts whose criticism of the government was alleged to be seditious.
    — Jennifer Jett, NBC news, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Its members used military formations during the January 6 attack, and the founder of the Oath Keepers was convicted of seditious conspiracy.
    — Daniel Benjamin, Foreign Affairs, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of seditious
Adjective
  • The incendiary documentary, revolving around the testimony of 24 Israeli intelligence officers and soldiers which have since been challenged by the Israeli army, has prompted a political firestorm in Israel.
    — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 17 Sep. 2026
  • The controversy is the latest in a long line of incendiary comments made by French that have been condemned by his fellow Republicans, many of whom have endorsed him.
    — Texas Tribune, CBS News, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of incendiary

Browse Nearby Words

inflammations
inflammatory
inflate
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Inflammatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inflammatory. Accessed 22 Sep. 2026.

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