incendiary
Americanadjective
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used or adapted for setting property on fire.
incendiary bombs.
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of or relating to the criminal setting on fire of property.
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tending to arouse strife, sedition, etc.; inflammatory.
incendiary speeches.
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tending to inflame the senses.
an incendiary extravaganza of music and dance.
noun
plural
incendiaries-
a person who deliberately sets fire to buildings or other property, as an arsonist.
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Military. a shell, bomb, or grenade containing napalm, thermite, or some other substance that burns with an intense heat.
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a person who stirs up strife, sedition, etc.; an agitator.
adjective
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of or relating to the illegal burning of property, goods, etc
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tending to create strife, violence, etc; inflammatory
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(of a substance) capable of catching fire, causing fires, or burning readily
noun
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a person who illegally sets fire to property, goods, etc; arsonist
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(esp formerly) a person who stirs up civil strife, violence, etc, for political reasons; agitator
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Also called: incendiary bomb. a bomb that is designed to start fires
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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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
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
Salah's incendiary Elland Road outburst in December, when he claimed after being dropped that he had been "thrown under the bus" by Slot and Liverpool, only added to the air of unrest surrounding the club.
From BBC
That so many businesses came together for the statement was an achievement, given the customary reluctance of corporate leaders to address incendiary political issues.
From Los Angeles Times
She also represented those accused of blasphemy -- an incendiary charge -- as well as Afghans who face crackdowns by the authorities.
From Barron's
She also represented those accused of blasphemy -- an incendiary charge in Pakistan -- as well as Afghans who face crackdowns by the authorities.
From Barron's
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
