as in provocative
tending to excite political disorder or insurrection
the restless crowd was stirred up by the inflammatory rhetoric
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of inflammatory
Goetz’s case helped build the early architecture of conservative tabloid media and inflammatory talk radio.
—
Heather Ann Thompson, The Atlantic, 26 Jan. 2026
This inflammatory condition involves red patches, purple spots, and swelling on the thighs and lower legs.
—Fara Rosenzweig, Outside, 24 Jan. 2026
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune, inflammatory form of arthritis, meaning a person’s immune system attacks their joints, causing substantial inflammation.
—Kevin Deane, The Conversation, 23 Jan. 2026
And he has been condemned by other Republicans for his promotion of white nationalist ideas and near-constant firehose of inflammatory social media posts.
—Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 20 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for inflammatory
Heather Ann Thompson, The Atlantic, 26 Jan. 2026
This inflammatory condition involves red patches, purple spots, and swelling on the thighs and lower legs.
—Fara Rosenzweig, Outside, 24 Jan. 2026
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune, inflammatory form of arthritis, meaning a person’s immune system attacks their joints, causing substantial inflammation.
—Kevin Deane, The Conversation, 23 Jan. 2026
And he has been condemned by other Republicans for his promotion of white nationalist ideas and near-constant firehose of inflammatory social media posts.
—Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 20 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for inflammatory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inflammatory
Adjective
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Raenah Birdlong, 33, who did not fire any shots, was charged under the provocative act doctrine, meaning her actions led to the death and wounding of the two men, authorities said.—
Harry Harris,
Mercury News,
23 Jan. 2026
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Commentators frame the idea as fanciful or provocative.—
Paul McCarthy,
Boston Herald,
23 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Stewart Rhodes, the former leader of the Oath Keepers who was convicted of seditious conspiracy for his role in the attack and sentenced to 18 years in prison, appeared at the front of the audience.—
Tom Dreisbach,
NPR,
16 Jan. 2026
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In the aftermath, hundreds of rioters were charged with federal crimes, including assault, seditious conspiracy and obstruction of an official proceeding.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN Money,
6 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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As Bratton noted, unpacking all of this is where a thorough investigation is helpful and incendiary rhetoric from the highest political office in the country is not.—
Sal Rodriguez,
Oc Register,
12 Jan. 2026
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Progressives have long argued — often rightly — that incendiary rhetoric from public officials can legitimize harassment, intimidation, and violence.—
David Moore,
New York Daily News,
11 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Inflammatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inflammatory. Accessed 29 Jan. 2026.
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