inflame

verb

in-ˈflām How to pronounce inflame (audio)
variants also enflame
Definition of inflamenext
1
as in to infuriate
to make angry the newspaper editorial inflamed her enough to inspire her to dash off a letter to the editor

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to burn
to set (something) on fire a carelessly tossed cigarette inflamed the papers in the trash can

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 inflame Fortunately, schools and organizations can also inflame desire. — David Brooks, The Atlantic, 28 June 2026 The characters are all in a continual state of collision, their shifting conflicts inflamed by Coriolanus’ arrogantly uncompromising nature. — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026 Allegations circulating online—including accusations of looting and interference with aid—have further inflamed public sentiment, though many claims remain unverified. — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 29 June 2026 Efforts to manipulate public opinion and inflame social tensions are often pinned on Russia, Iran and other countries, although most of those bots Blue Square is tracking appear to be homegrown, Leiba explained. — Jackie Hajdenberg, Sun Sentinel, 29 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for inflame
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inflame
  1. infuriate
  2. burn
  3. anger
  4. ignite
  5. enrage
  6. scorch
  7. irritate
  8. light
Verb
  • They’re infuriated with a military that turned out to repress civilian protests in recent years, but appeared slow to mobilize in support of earthquake victims this week.
    — Tibisay Zea, Christian Science Monitor, 3 July 2026
  • The result can be a more consistent connection, fewer interruptions and less of that infuriating mid-episode quality drop.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 30 June 2026
Definition of infuriate
Verb
  • According to Smith, citizens of East Florida even burned the leaders behind the Declaration of Independence in effigy.
    — Hank Tester, CBS News, 1 July 2026
  • For decades, oceans have acted as the planet’s main heat sink, absorbing 90% of the excess heat produced by humans burning fossil fuels.
    — Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 1 July 2026
Definition of burn
Verb
  • The mayor floated the idea to place Williams on probation for six months, angering the city manager’s supporters in the crowd.
    — Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 3 July 2026
  • All the spending on the national events angers one supervisor at a Florida airport.
    — Danya Gainor, CNN Money, 3 July 2026
Definition of anger
Verb
  • Thiero, a 6-foot-7 forward, ignited the offense down the stretch Sunday.
    — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
  • Back on track Last year, Cracker Barrel was in turmoil when changes sparked anger and ignited a culture war.
    — Daniel Wine, CNN Money, 6 July 2026
Definition of ignite
Verb
  • Despite his concessions to the SSPX, Francis enraged many Catholic traditionalists by reversing Benedict's relaxation on celebrating the old Latin Mass for the broader Catholic Church.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 1 July 2026
  • The story enraged campus and district officials and played a role in Stapleton’s ousting, despite a later retraction.
    — Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 27 June 2026
Definition of enrage
Verb
  • Most of Georgia will be back under a heat advisory on Tuesday as a dangerous heat wave continues to scorch parts of the United States.
    — Dan Raby, CBS News, 30 June 2026
  • Hot and even moderately hot pans will scorch the 10% resin content, turning it brown or yellow.
    — Lee Wallender, The Spruce, 30 June 2026
Definition of scorch
Verb
  • Avoid potentially irritating actives Immediately after shaving is not the time to reach for your strongest skin-care products.
    — Emma-Jade Stoddart, Glamour, 5 July 2026
  • While some of my linen pieces feel scratchy, this one is ultra soft and doesn’t irritate my sensitive skin.
    — Shea Simmons, PEOPLE, 3 July 2026
Definition of irritate
Verb
  • Passionate Mars lights your 11th House of Friends and Community, forming a harmonious trine to transformative Pluto in your 7th House of Partnership.
    — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 5 July 2026
  • Digital footage obtained by The Times showed large aerial fireworks lighted at close range, while another video showed fireworks being thrown by an unknown individual into the crowd.
    — Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2026
Definition of light

Browse Nearby Words

infixing
inflame
inflamed
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Inflame.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inflame. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on inflame

Nglish: Translation of inflame for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
hangman letters and game
Hangman Lightning Round Figure out which word fits in the blanks.
See All