Examples Word Origin
See more synonyms for inflame 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. Show More
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. Show More
Origin of inflame 1300–50; in-2 +
flame ; replacing
Middle English enflammen <
Middle French enflammer <
Latin inflammāre to kindle
Related forms in·flam·ed·ness [in-fley -mid-nis] /ɪnˈfleɪ mɪd nɪs/ noun in·flam·er , noun in·flam·ing·ly , adverb re·in·flame , verb, re·in·flamed, re·in·flam·ing. un·in·flamed , adjective Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Related Words for inflame ignite ,
agitate ,
disturb ,
rouse ,
embitter ,
worsen ,
infuriate ,
exacerbate ,
enrage ,
roil ,
rile ,
arouse ,
irritate ,
incense ,
kindle ,
provoke ,
intensify ,
stimulate ,
foment ,
annoy Examples from the Web for inflame Contemporary Examples of inflame But given their anti-government rhetoric, the Oath Keepers' presence could inflame tensions further.
Ferguson, Mo., had returned to a state of wary unease but early morning looting is likely to inflame things.
They simultaneously over-simplify and inflame a conflict that is already poorly understood.
We don't want to release the movie if it is going to touch a nerve or inflame anybody's sensitivities.
I did not write it to inflame —anybody actually reading it could see that.
Historical Examples of inflame If it were poetry, "did it touch the heart, or inflame the imagination?"
Pitt then deprecated the effort to inflame the insular pride of Irishmen.
But there were more serious things to inflame the temper of the North.
They employed all their skill to inflame the passions of the majority.
Tonight be it your care to fascinate Josephas senses and inflame her heart.
British Dictionary definitions for inflame 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 Show More
Derived Forms inflamer , noun inflamingly , 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 v. 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.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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