inflame

[in-fleym]

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verb (used with object), in·flamed, in·flam·ing.

to kindle or excite (passions, desires, etc.).

to arouse to a high degree of passion or feeling: His harangue inflamed the rabble.

to incite or rouse, as to violence: His words inflamed the angry mob to riot.

(of an emotion, as rage) to cause to redden or grow heated: Uncontrollable rage inflamed his face.

to cause inflammation in: Her eyes were inflamed with crying.

to raise (the blood, bodily tissue, etc.) to a morbid or feverish heat.

to set aflame, ablaze, or afire; set on fire.

to redden with or as with flames: The setting sun inflames the sky.

verb (used without object), in·flamed, in·flam·ing.

to burst into flame; take fire.

to be kindled, as passion.

to become hot with passion, as the heart.

to become excessively affected with inflammation.

Nearby words

Also enflame.

Origin of inflame

1300–50; in-² + flame; replacing Middle English enflammen < Middle French enflammer < Latin inflammāre to kindle

ANTONYMS FOR inflame

2. cool, soothe.

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Related forms

in·flam·ed·ness

[in-fley-mid-nis] /ɪnˈfleɪ mɪd nɪs/, nounin·flam·er, nounin·flam·ing·ly, adverbre·in·flame, verb, re·in·flamed, re·in·flam·ing.

un·in·flamed, adjective

Synonym study

1–3. See incite. 7. See kindle¹.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for inflame

But given their anti-government rhetoric, the Oath Keepers' presence could inflame tensions further.
The Oath Keepers Patrol Rooftops in Ferguson—The Facts Behind This ‘Mysterious’ Militia Group|John Avlon|December 1, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Ferguson, Mo., had returned to a state of wary unease but early morning looting is likely to inflame things.
Looting, Clashes Shatter Uneasy Calm|Justin Glawe|August 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
They simultaneously over-simplify and inflame a conflict that is already poorly understood.
Is Twitter Trolling Making the Israel-Palestine Conflict Worse?|Emily Shire|July 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
We don't want to release the movie if it is going to touch a nerve or inflame anybody's sensitivities.
Tom Cruise’s ‘Jack Reacher’ & More Ill-Timed Movies (VIDEO)|Marlow Stern|December 18, 2012|DAILY BEAST

I did not write it to inflame—anybody actually reading it could see that.
Buzz Bissinger on Being Savaged by the Liberal Media After Backing Mitt Romney|Buzz Bissinger|October 11, 2012|DAILY BEAST
This served to inflame them exceedingly, every man considering it as if it had been a plot against himself in particular.
The Loyalists of America and Their Times, Vol. 1 of 2|Egerton Ryerson
These excellent sentences were esteemed as so many expressions of treason, and tended to inflame his adversaries.
Fox's Book of Martyrs|John Foxe
Liquor in large quantities was distributed among the slum classes further to inflame their minds.
The Iron Heel|Jack London
Statues and vases of exquisite workmanship crowd the grounds; most of the statues tending to inflame a voluptuous taste.
Harper's New Monthly Magazine, Vol. V, No. XXIX., October, 1852|Various
Ryleieff's poem is fine, very fine, but it does not inflame and excite one.
The Green Book|Mr Jkai

British Dictionary definitions for inflame

inflame

verb

to arouse or become aroused to violent emotion

(tr) to increase or intensify; aggravate

to produce inflammation in (a tissue, organ, or part) or (of a tissue, etc) to become inflamed

to set or be set on fire; kindle

(tr) to cause to redden

Derived Formsinflamer, nouninflamingly, adverb

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for inflame

inflame

mid-14c., "to set on fire with passion," from Latin inflammare "to set on fire, kindle," figuratively "to rouse, excite," from in- "in" (see in- (2)) + flammare "to flame," from flamma "flame" (see flame (n.)). Literal sense of "to cause to burn" first recorded in English late 14c.

inflame

verb (used with object), in·flamed, in·flam·ing.

verb (used without object), in·flamed, in·flam·ing.

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of inflame

Synonym study

Examples from the Web for inflame

inflame

verb

inflame