inflame
Americanverb (used with object)
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to kindle or excite (passions, desires, etc.).
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to arouse to a high degree of passion or feeling.
His harangue inflamed the rabble.
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to incite or rouse, as to violence.
His words inflamed the angry mob to riot.
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(of an emotion, as rage) to cause to redden or grow heated.
Uncontrollable rage inflamed his face.
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to cause inflammation in.
Her eyes were inflamed with crying.
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to raise (the blood, bodily tissue, etc.) to a morbid or feverish heat.
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to set aflame, ablaze, or afire; set on fire.
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to redden with or as with flames.
The setting sun inflames the sky.
verb (used without object)
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to burst into flame; take fire.
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to be kindled, as passion.
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to become hot with passion, as the heart.
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to become excessively affected with inflammation.
verb
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to arouse or become aroused to violent emotion
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(tr) to increase or intensify; aggravate
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to produce inflammation in (a tissue, organ, or part) or (of a tissue, etc) to become inflamed
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to set or be set on fire; kindle
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(tr) to cause to redden
Synonym Usage
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Conjugated Forms
Present
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has inflamedperfect 3rd person singular
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have inflamedperfect
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is inflamingprogressive 3rd person singular
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are inflamingprogressive
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am inflamingprogressive 1st person singular
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has been inflamingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
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inflamingparticiple
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inflamessingular 3rd person
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have been inflamingperfect progressive
Past
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had inflamedperfect
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was inflamingprogressive singular
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inflamedparticiple
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were inflamingprogressive plural
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had been inflamingperfect progressive
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inflamedsimple
Future
Etymology
Origin of inflame
First recorded in 1300–50; in- 2 + flame; replacing Middle English enflammen, from Middle French enflammer, from Latin inflammāre “to kindle”
Explanation
To inflame is to make feelings stronger, or stir them up. Reminding your grandfather about the time his car was stolen may just inflame his anger. Getting a parking ticket might inflame your frustration, and when a city imposes a curfew it may inflame the community's feelings of resentment. Another way to inflame is more literal: to cause a physical condition that involves swelling, pain, and redness. Scratching your poison ivy rash will only inflame it in the long run, even if it briefly brings relief. Inflame is from the Latin inflammare, "set on fire" and "excite."
Vocabulary lists containing inflame
Inferno Lingo: Fire Vocabulary
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Novel Study: Julius Caesar, Act 3
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The Canyon's Edge
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
With fans travelling between the three nations to watch matches, stepped-up US immigration enforcement efforts could create logistical headaches and inflame already frayed nerves.
From BBC • Jun. 4, 2026
It’s easy to see how videos could inflame heated debates over managing such animals, in California and beyond.
From Los Angeles Times • May 2, 2026
In terrible moments, we should keep in our minds these thoughts: Don’t inflame things.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 30, 2026
They had warned of a diminished ability to respond should major global events inflame threats at home and abroad.
From Salon • Apr. 22, 2026
Laertes, too, protected me by his presence, for Claudius dared not seize me or abuse me, and thus inflame my brother more.
From "Ophelia" by Lisa Klein
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.
