INFLAMING Synonyms: 187 Similar and Opposite Words

inflaming 1 of 2

adjective

variants also enflaming

as in hostile

Related Words

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Dissimilar Words

inflaming

2 of 2

verb

variants also enflaming

present participle of inflame

as in angering

to make angry the newspaper editorial inflamed her enough to inspire her to dash off a letter to the editor

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in burning

to set (something) on fire a carelessly tossed cigarette inflamed the papers in the trash can

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 inflaming

Verb

China is increasingly worried about North Korea’s role in creating and intensifying these risks—and about the need to adjust its North Korea strategy to manage them without inflaming tensions and further destabilizing the region. — Zheng Jiyong, Foreign Affairs, 10 Aug. 2026 Chad Gable spent much of last year recovering from surgery after inflaming lucha libre fans with his El Grande Americano gimmick. — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026 Containing Iran’s influence without inflaming a domestic front appears to be the priority. — Mohammed Sergie, semafor.com, 15 June 2026 Footage of an activist being dragged away from the development went viral, further inflaming public opposition. — Emmet Lyons, CBS News, 6 June 2026 The federal government has denied allegations of substandard conditions and accused protesters of inflaming tensions. — ABC News, 4 June 2026 The draft crisis is straining Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s fragile coalition, inflaming secular–religious tensions and raising the prospect of early elections as ultra-Orthodox leaders vow defiance over conscription. — Melanie Lidman, Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2026 Since the party rose to power in 2014, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the helm, critics have accused it of stifling civil liberties and the press, pursuing a Hindu-first agenda, and inflaming religious divisions within India’s secular democracy. — Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 22 May 2026 Unfortunately, Lace delivers a kick that knocks Jinx on his back, inflaming an old injury. — Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 22 Apr. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for inflaming

Adjective

Alice and Gemma really don’t seem to get along, and neither seems inclined to back down from their hostile postures.

— Keith Phipps, Vulture, 19 Aug. 2026
The true target of the strike was Turkey, which has grown increasingly hostile toward Israel since the war in Gaza, and over its differing approach to Syria.

— Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of hostile

Verb

The combined Academy was first based in New York, but then moved out west — angering the folks in Gotham.

— Michael Schneider, Variety, 18 Aug. 2026
Israel’s far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich faces a fight for political survival in elections in October after angering his fellow West Bank settlers by voting not to punish ultra-Orthodox Jews who refuse to serve in the military.

— Reuters, NBC news, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of angering

Verb

There are a variety of reasons for this — from reasonable to infuriating — why those who paid higher prices won’t be getting refunds.

— Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2026
These are eight facts about women in medical research that are downright insane, infuriating and, in some cases, just unbelievable.

— Emily Cegielski, Flow Space, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of infuriating

Verb

The late Hayden Panettiere's fans are demanding a boycott of Neutrogena products, re-igniting a call that came after the actress made allegations the skin-care company wanted to fire her for speaking out about her postpartum depression.

— Betty Lin-Fisher, USA Today, 20 Aug. 2026
Weeks later, their surrogate gave birth in Texas, igniting a fight over parental rights.

— Gina Park, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of igniting

Adjective

The Smith experience is always going to be a roller coaster, impressive feats of accuracy and arm talent mixed with desperation heaves and maddening turnovers.

— Zack Rosenblatt, New York Times, 22 Aug. 2026
The sequence was the boiling point of a maddening, inexplicable few days in Minnesota.

— Gabriel Burns, AJC.com, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of maddening

Verb

North Carolina and Bill Belichick got zero, no doubt enraging girlfriend Jordon Hudson.

— Greg Cote August 2, Miami Herald, 2 Aug. 2026
Before the agreement was announced, Israeli forces struck in Beirut, enraging Trump, who has publicly expressed his fury with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

— Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 15 June 2026

Definition of enraging

Browse Nearby Words

inflames

inflaming

inflammable

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“Inflaming.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inflaming. Accessed 25 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of inflaming

adjective

verb

Example Sentences

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