incendiary

[in-sen-dee-er-ee]

adjective

1. used or adapted for setting property on fire.

   incendiary bombs.

2. of or relating to the criminal setting on fire of property.

3. tending to arouse strife, sedition, etc.; inflammatory.

   incendiary speeches.

4. tending to inflame the senses.

   an incendiary extravaganza of music and dance.

noun

plural

incendiaries 

1. a person who deliberately sets fire to buildings or other property, as an arsonist.

2. Military.,  a shell, bomb, or grenade containing napalm, thermite, or some other substance that burns with an intense heat.

3. a person who stirs up strife, sedition, etc.; an agitator.

incendiary

/ ɪnˈsɛndɪərɪ /

adjective

1. of or relating to the illegal burning of property, goods, etc

2. tending to create strife, violence, etc; inflammatory

3. (of a substance) capable of catching fire, causing fires, or burning readily

noun

1. a person who illegally sets fire to property, goods, etc; arsonist

2. (esp formerly) a person who stirs up civil strife, violence, etc, for political reasons; agitator

3. Also called: incendiary bomb. a bomb that is designed to start fires

4. an incendiary substance, such as phosphorus

Word History and Origins

Origin of incendiary¹

1600–10; < Latin incendiārius, equivalent to incendi ( um ) a fire ( incend ( ere ) to kindle ( in- in- ² + -cendere, transitive v. from base of candēre to shine, be hot; candent, candid, candor ) + -ium -ium ) + -ārius -ary

Word History and Origins

Origin of incendiary¹

C17: from Latin incendiārius setting alight, from incendium fire, from incendere to kindle

Example Sentences

An increasingly tiresome "jam tomorrow" line only created the most incendiary environment that some Rangers observers can ever remember.

From BBC

In a letter to the prime minister, Baroness Mone said her language was "incendiary and has directly increased the risks to my personal safety".

From BBC

Justin Halstenberg, 35, was convicted of nine counts of arson, ranging from aggravated arson to the use of an incendiary device, for his role in San Bernardino County’s Line and Bacon fires.

From Los Angeles Times

The decision was based on the leftist leader's "incendiary actions" during a pro-Palestinian street protest in New York, the State Department added.

From BBC

But, like Fitzpatrick and in keeping with the European team's careful PR approach, Lowry attempted to avoid any incendiary comments on Thursday.

From BBC

Related Words

• inflammatory 
• provocative 
• subversive 
• treacherous