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 The Texas congresswoman is one of the most visible politicians in the House and is known for her inflammatory language. Ross O'Keefe, The Washington Examiner, 9 Sep. 2025 The threat to target foreign peacekeeping forces in Ukraine is the latest of Russia’s inflammatory statements regarding outside involvement in the conflict. Darya Tarasova, CNN Money, 5 Sep. 2025 Festivalgoers suggested the pin was inflammatory or political propaganda. Jasmine Baehr, FOXNews.com, 5 Sep. 2025 Certain cancers The antioxidants in oranges and orange juice may have properties that lower inflammatory markers in the body. Carrie Madormo, Verywell Health, 4 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for inflammatory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inflammatory
Adjective
  • That group, which began on college campuses, quickly drew attention with its provocative events and Kirk’s willingness to debate critics onstage.
    Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Kirk frequently attacked mainstream media and engaged in culture war issues around race, gender and immigration, often in a provocative style.
    N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Salisbury was even indicted for seditious libel and faced up to 21 years in prison.
    Stephanie A, The Conversation, 4 Aug. 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
  • Two suspects are in custody after an incendiary device was found under a vehicle belonging to KSTU, a local TV station known as Fox 13 News Utah.
    Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 15 Sep. 2025
  • Kirk inspired and infuriated millions of Americans with his hard-line conservative views and often incendiary language.
    Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Inflammatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inflammatory. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.

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