incendiary

American  

[in-sen-dee-er-ee] / ɪnˈsɛn diˌɛr i /

adjective

1. used or adapted for setting property on fire.

   incendiary bombs.

2. of or relating to the criminal setting on fire of property.

3. tending to arouse strife, sedition, etc.; inflammatory.

   incendiary speeches.

4. tending to inflame the senses.

   an incendiary extravaganza of music and dance.

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noun

plural

incendiaries

1. a person who deliberately sets fire to buildings or other property, as an arsonist.

2. Military. a shell, bomb, or grenade containing napalm, thermite, or some other substance that burns with an intense heat.

3. a person who stirs up strife, sedition, etc.; an agitator.

incendiary British  

/ ɪnˈsɛndɪərɪ /

adjective

1. of or relating to the illegal burning of property, goods, etc

2. tending to create strife, violence, etc; inflammatory

3. (of a substance) capable of catching fire, causing fires, or burning readily

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noun

1. a person who illegally sets fire to property, goods, etc; arsonist

2. (esp formerly) a person who stirs up civil strife, violence, etc, for political reasons; agitator

3. Also called: incendiary bomb.  a bomb that is designed to start fires

4. an incendiary substance, such as phosphorus

Etymology

Origin of incendiary

1600–10; < Latin incendiārius, equivalent to incendi ( um ) a fire ( incend ( ere ) to kindle ( in- in- ² + -cendere, transitive v. from base of candēre to shine, be hot; see candent, candid, candor) + -ium -ium ) + -ārius -ary

Explanation

An incendiary device is a bomb. An incendiary statement is, "That idea is absolute garbage." Both are likely to produce an explosion of one kind or another. Incendiary means more than flammable. It means explosive, in both a literal and figurative way. If you're a radical who changes the world by exciting people and makes as many enemies as followers, you're an incendiary figure. The speeches you give that rile people up are incendiary. The fires you set are also incendiary, and by setting them you are also likely to be called an incendiary — someone who burns things, more commonly known as an arsonist.

Example Sentences

In October Polish and Romanian authorities said they thwarted a Russian plot to send incendiary packages through a Ukrainian courier service, including devices intended to ignite in Bucharest.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 24, 2026

As public outrage against Pretti’s killing has grown in recent days, including from some Republicans, the president has backpedaled on some of his more incendiary rhetoric.

From Salon • Jan. 29, 2026

She also represented those accused of blasphemy -- an incendiary charge in Pakistan -- as well as Afghans who face crackdowns by the authorities.

From Barron's • Jan. 24, 2026

Sunday night, these moments tended to be sweet, not incendiary, and made one think, “Those picture people really seem quite nice and genuine.”

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 12, 2026

His school held terrifying air-raid drills, and in each classroom was a large bucket of sand—to be used to extinguish fires sparked by incendiary bombs.

From "Most Dangerous: Daniel Ellsberg and the Secret History of the Vietnam War" by Steve Sheinkin

Related Words

• inflammatory
• provocative
• subversive
• treacherous