incendiary 1 of 2

noun

Definition of incendiarynext
1
as in torch
a person who deliberately and unlawfully sets fire to a building or other property firefighters caught the incendiary, who was watching the effects of his handiwork

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2
as in firebrand
a person who stirs up public feelings especially of discontent blamed the protests on outside incendiaries who were intent on overthrowing the government

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

incendiary

2 of 2

adjective

in-ˈsen-dē-ˌer-ē How to pronounce incendiary (audio)
as in provocative
tending to excite political disorder or insurrection recklessly made incendiary remarks during a period of heightened racial tensions

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of incendiary
Noun
Ukrainian officers also accused Russia of using incendiaries in attacks on the city of Bakhmut last year. — Brad Lendon, CNN, 7 Sep. 2024 But the only traditional incendiaries in the story are the radical Protestant preacher Anne Askew (Erin Doherty), a friend of Katherine’s, and Henry’s minion, Bishop Stephen Gardiner, played by an inquisitorial Simon Russell Beale. — Michael O'Sullivan, Washington Post, 14 June 2024
Adjective
In 2024, an incendiary device ignited at a logistics center at Leipzig/Halle Airport, setting fire to a freight container in an incident Western security officials suspect was part of a Russian intelligence sabotage operation. — Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 5 Aug. 2026 In June, incendiary claims emerged from the legal dispute between Ainslie’s Athena Racing team and INEOS, his former financial backer, over the boat built for the last America’s Cup. — Andrew Rice, New York Times, 24 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for incendiary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for incendiary
  1. torch
  2. firebrand
  3. provocative
  4. rebel
  5. inflammatory
  6. insurgent
  7. provocateur
  8. demagogue
Noun
  • Tamekia Morris didn’t start her career thinking about welding torches or HVAC units.
    — Carson Bonner, AJC.com, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Tables and seating are arranged around a crackling fire with torches and ambient lighting surround the venue under the open sky and stars.
    — Roger Sands, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of torch
Noun
  • If the conservative base continues to demand ideological purity, pushing polarizing firebrands into a general election, the result will always be an immediate, lopsided blowout.
    — Dain Fitzgerald, The Washington Examiner, 1 Aug. 2026
  • The speech that followed created the perception of her as a firebrand, but those who have followed her career closely have found a more circumspect figure.
    — Tom Kludt, Vanity Fair, 17 July 2026
Definition of firebrand
Adjective
  • Jane Schoenbrun’s latest movie, Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma, is shocking, emotional, provocative, numbing, warm, witty, and surreal.
    — Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 18 Aug. 2026
  • In IconArrows pointing outwards BCA Research The data come from a thorough and provocative new report by BCA's longtime (and now semi-retired) chief economist Martin Barnes.
    — Michael Santoli, CNBC, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of provocative
Noun
  • Ahmed al-Sharaa, the former rebel commander who has served as Syria’s President since 2025, has been outward looking since taking power.
    — Paula Hancocks, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Dozens of rebel and militia groups operate across eastern Congo.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of rebel
Adjective
  • One complication of breast augmentation is capsular contracture, an inflammatory response that creates a hardening of the scar tissue that forms around the implant.
    — Emma Sandler, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Trump has hit Canadian goods with tariffs — in a push to bring manufacturing back to the United States — and has repeatedly made inflammatory comments about turning Canada into America’s 51st state.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of inflammatory
Noun
  • Relations between the Taliban and Pakistan — initially their most important partner — are tense, as Islamabad accuses Kabul of supporting Pakistani insurgents.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 15 Aug. 2026
  • An insurgent socialist wing, led by New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, has toppled several incumbent Democrats this midterm cycle.
    — Mabinty Quarshie, The Washington Examiner, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of insurgent
Noun
  • The faux outrage was egged on by professional right-wing provocateurs like Robby Starbuck, Benny Johnson and a leading investor in MAGA darling Steak n’ Shake.
    — Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 2 Aug. 2026
  • In the movie, out July 31, Hoffman plays fresh college grad Elliot, who lands an exciting job for renowned artist and provocateur Erika Tracy (Wilde).
    — Christina Perrier, InStyle, 30 July 2026
Definition of provocateur
Noun
  • In recent years, totalizing ideologies such as communism, fascism, and Islamism have found dedicated audiences on social media, and the proliferation of demagogues manipulating people for malign ends is an ever-present worry.
    — James Kirchick, The Atlantic, 13 Aug. 2026
  • And as Netanyahu’s coalitions hardened Schleien’s programs became edgier, skewering Netanyahu sycophants in the Likud Party, anti-élitist demagogues, cultic settlers, and rabbinic mandarins.
    — Bernard Avishai, New Yorker, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of demagogue

Browse Nearby Words

incendiaries
incendiary
incense
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Cite this Entry

“Incendiary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/incendiary. Accessed 19 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of incendiary for Spanish Speakers

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