inflame

[ in-fleym ]

/ ɪnˈfleɪm /

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See synonyms for: inflame / inflamed / inflamer on Thesaurus.com

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.

OPPOSITES FOR inflame

2 cool, soothe.

See antonyms for inflame on Thesaurus.com

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Also en·flame

[en-fleym] /ɛnˈfleɪm/ .

Origin of inflame

First recorded in 1300–50; in-² + flame; replacing Middle English enflammen, from Middle French enflammer, from Latin inflammāre “to kindle”

synonym study for inflame

1-3. See incite. 7. See kindle¹.

OTHER WORDS FROM inflame

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

Words nearby inflame

infirmary, infirmity, infix, infl., in flagrante delicto, inflame, inflammable, inflammation, inflammatory, inflammatory bowel disease, inflammatory carcinoma

How to use inflame in a sentence

The coronavirus crisis has not only inflamed long-simmering inequities, economists say, it has resulted in the most unequal holiday season in decades.
A time to splurge or a time to scrape by: Holidays expose widening disparity among U.S. families|Abha Bhattarai|December 17, 2020|Washington Post
Faulconer and police officials have said they wanted to prevent the unsanitary conditions that once inflamed the hepatitis A outbreak and threatened both homeless San Diegans and the rest of the community.
Faulconer Hopes His Action on Homelessness Will Overshadow His Failure|Lisa Halverstadt|December 7, 2020|Voice of San Diego
We decided we weren’t going to listen anymore to the shouting cynics, to the foreign bots in a warehouse overseas paid to inflame our hatred of one another.
Political cynicism has given way to love in Christian America|jakemeth|October 28, 2020|Fortune
The air where I was visiting reached over 350 on the Air Quality Index, a level deemed hazardous, inflaming my asthma.
It’s about time adults start rising up against climate change|Alexandria Villaseñor|October 21, 2020|Popular-Science

Despite this, they have been met with national guardsman armed with rubber bullets and egged on by a president seemingly determined to inflame the situation.
Epidemics Have Often Led To Discrimination Against Minorities – This Time Is No Different|LGBTQ-Editor|June 9, 2020|No Straight News
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
Fewer issues inflame political passions in my home state of California than affirmative action.
Racial Support to Keep a Ban on Race in Place|Ron Christie|March 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Did the media and politicians inflame the situation for their own purposes?
Trayvon Was Black. It Matters.|Mark Geragos|July 15, 2013|DAILY BEAST
None of these liquids should be taken hot, but lukewarm; when hot they inflame the stomach, and produce indigestion.
The Ladies' Book of Etiquette, and Manual of Politeness|Florence Hartley
When a reciprocal love shall inflame my veins, then my lips will grow purple, and my kisses will be of fire!
The Pilgrim's Shell or Fergan the Quarryman|Eugne Sue
Their beauty, grace, and bewitching manner inflame the heart and imagination of all that set their eyes on them.
Frederick Chopin as a Man and Musician|Frederick Niecks
In these they found good wines, which served to inflame their blood; and then their shout was, 'Hutchinson!
The Loyalists of America and Their Times, Vol. 1 of 2|Egerton Ryerson
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

British Dictionary definitions for inflame

inflame

/ (ɪnˈfleɪm) /

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 forms of inflame

inflamer, 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

inflame

OPPOSITES FOR inflame

Origin of inflame

synonym study for inflame

OTHER WORDS FROM inflame

Words nearby inflame

Words related to inflame

How to use inflame in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for inflame

Derived forms of inflame