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
Yerba Mate Tea Yerba mate is a tea traditionally from South America that contains antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds that may help lower inflammatory markers associated with certain types of arthritis, or inflammation and pain of the joint.
—
Caitlin Beale,
Health,
29 June 2026
Following a match, muscle energy stores can be depleted, fluid losses contribute to dehydration, and the body continues repairing the microscopic muscle damage and inflammatory responses caused by intense competition.
—
Alan McCall,
New York Times,
28 June 2026
Normal mice scratched and inflammatory immune cells rushed to the site, increasing swelling.
—
ABC News,
27 June 2026
The center also alleges that the APA has put up roadblocks to allowing an official Jewish affinity group to form, while excusing inflammatory language about Zionism from an Arab, Muslim, Middle Eastern and North African affinity group.
—
Andrew Lapin,
Sun Sentinel,
22 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for inflammatory
Caitlin Beale,
Health,
29 June 2026
Following a match, muscle energy stores can be depleted, fluid losses contribute to dehydration, and the body continues repairing the microscopic muscle damage and inflammatory responses caused by intense competition.
—
Alan McCall,
New York Times,
28 June 2026
Normal mice scratched and inflammatory immune cells rushed to the site, increasing swelling.
—
ABC News,
27 June 2026
The center also alleges that the APA has put up roadblocks to allowing an official Jewish affinity group to form, while excusing inflammatory language about Zionism from an Arab, Muslim, Middle Eastern and North African affinity group.
—
Andrew Lapin,
Sun Sentinel,
22 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for inflammatory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inflammatory
Adjective
-
Digital platforms further amplify provocative behavior, potentially normalizing hate.
-
That can desensitize us to actions that in another context would be seen as deeply provocative.
Adjective
-
Hong Kong police arrested two people in June on suspicion of selling seditious publications and receiving funds from foreign political organizations, acting under a recent national security law.
-
Among the hardliners, I was condemned as a seditious woman.
Adjective
-
More recently, drones have been used to drop incendiary mixtures that ignite apartment buildings and residential blocks.
-
The incendiary comments were roundly criticized on social media but went unaddressed throughout the remainder of the broadcast.
Cite this Entry
“Inflammatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inflammatory. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
