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 Rheumatoid arthritis, a chronic inflammatory and autoimmune disease that primarily causes joint swelling, pain and stiffness, may also worsen or develop for the first time during menopause. — Cheyenne Buckingham, Washington Post, 24 Oct. 2026 For adults with inflammatory issues, the new limit is 100 ng/mL, and the group suggests an additional test, called transferrin saturation. — Amanda Schupak, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2026 But ultimately, my spinal tap showed oligoclonal bands (proteins found in the spinal fluid) and white blood cells, confirming an autoimmune, inflammatory neurological diagnosis. — Lindsay Karp, STAT, 23 Oct. 2026 Since then, families had shown up each morning, and with them lobbyists and organizers posting inflammatory assertions that the proposal would kill the program. — Henry Culvyhouse, ProPublica, 19 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for inflammatory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inflammatory
  1. provocative
  2. seditious
  3. incendiary
Adjective
  • That wasn’t the only provocative subject that came up during the latest Weekend Update.
    — K.J. Yossman, Variety, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Cold and bitter, yet still provocative, or at least trying to be.
    — Sofia Franklyn, Vanity Fair, 22 Oct. 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
  • In 2019, the team heard about Hamas floating incendiary balloons over the border.
    — Margaux MacColl, Vanity Fair, 21 Oct. 2026
  • The 19-year-old student was arrested and faces charges of reckless endangerment and felony possession of an explosive or incendiary device, according to the arrest affidavit.
    — Dillon Thomas, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of incendiary

Browse Nearby Words

inflammations
inflammatory
inflate
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Cite this Entry

“Inflammatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inflammatory. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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