inflammatory

adjective

in-ˈfla-mə-ˌtȯr-ē How to pronounce inflammatory (audio)
Definition of inflammatorynext
as in provocative
tending to excite political disorder or insurrection the restless crowd was stirred up by the inflammatory rhetoric

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 inflammatory Chronic stress has implications for general health too, and can cause inflammatory and autoimmune symptoms. — Erin Clabough, The Conversation, 31 July 2026 On Thursday, the panel voted 8-6 to add BPC-157 to the list for treating ulcerative colitis, to add KPV for wound healing and inflammatory conditions, and to add TB-500 for wound healing. — Lizzy Lawrence, STAT, 24 July 2026 For example, kefir may stop the production of inflammatory proteins that can destroy beta cells, which are cells in the pancreas that produce insulin. — Jillian Kubala, Health, 23 July 2026 Supporters had hoped Platner would be the kind of candidate who could win white working-class voters back to the party, despite controversies including a tattoo widely recognized as a Nazi symbol and a history of inflammatory social media posts. — Jill Colvin, Fortune, 23 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for inflammatory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inflammatory
  1. provocative
  2. seditious
  3. incendiary
Adjective
  • Continue reading … ZERO REGRETS – Hasan Piker stands by 'intentionally provocative' claims that Hamas is 'a thousand times better' than Israel.
    — , FOXNews.com, 10 Aug. 2026
  • The film’s provocative title comes from a message a niche Californian skatewear company once wove into their clothing line’s care labels as a joke, a sample of which is seen here.
    — Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of provocative
Adjective
  • The Department of Justice in April acted to vacate the convictions of Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes and others in the seditious conspiracy case who had their sentences commuted but did not receive pardons.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 5 Aug. 2026
  • In June, Hong Kong police arrested two booksellers on suspicion of selling seditious publications and receiving funds from foreign political organizations.
    — Kanis Leung, Fortune, 16 July 2026
Definition of seditious
Adjective
  • White phosphorus is a controversial chemical substance used in incendiary munitions and smoke shells.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Goodman laments the dissolution of the Creative Alliance and the incendiary action of its former participants.
    — Kyle MacNeill, Rolling Stone, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of incendiary

Browse Nearby Words

inflammations
inflammatory
inflate
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Cite this Entry

“Inflammatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inflammatory. Accessed 14 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on inflammatory

Nglish: Translation of inflammatory for Spanish Speakers

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