incendiary

American  

[in-sen-dee-er-ee] / ɪnˈsɛn diˌɛr i /

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.

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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 British  

/ 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

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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

Etymology

Origin of incendiary

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

Example Sentences

U.S. incendiary attacks on Tokyo didn’t force Japan’s surrender, which only occurred after the U.S. went beyond conventional airstrikes and dropped two nuclear bombs on Japan five months later.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 9, 2026

As public outrage against Pretti’s killing has grown in recent days, including from some Republicans, the president has backpedaled on some of his more incendiary rhetoric.

From Salon • Jan. 29, 2026

She also represented those accused of blasphemy -- an incendiary charge -- as well as Afghans who face crackdowns by the authorities.

From Barron's • Jan. 25, 2026

Sunday night, these moments tended to be sweet, not incendiary, and made one think, “Those picture people really seem quite nice and genuine.”

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 12, 2026

Ancient Greeks discovered the uses of various mixtures of petroleum, pitch, resins, sulfur, and quicklime as incendiary weapons, delivered by catapults, arrows, firebombs, and ships.

From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond

Related Words

• inflammatory
• provocative
• subversive
• treacherous