inflammatory

[ in-flam-uh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee ]

adjective

1. tending to arouse anger, hostility, passion, etc.:

   inflammatory speeches.

   Synonyms: provocative, incendiary, fiery

2. Pathology. of or caused by inflammation.

inflammatory

/ ɪnˈflæmətərɪ; -trɪ /

adjective

1. characterized by or caused by inflammation
2. tending to arouse violence, strong emotion, etc

Derived Forms

• inˈflammatorily, adverb

Other Words From

• in·flamma·tori·ly adverb
• nonin·flamma·tory adjective
• subin·flamma·tory adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of inflammatory¹

First recorded in 1725–35; from Latin inflammāt(us) “kindled” (past participle of inflammāre “to kindle”; inflame ) + -ory ¹

Example Sentences

This time, the ads stated their policy including inflammatory language about China stealing American jobs, no benefits for illegal immigrants, funding and standing with law enforcement and openly rejecting gender-affirming surgery.

From Salon

James is not the only opponent of Trump to be targeted by Davis' inflammatory and violent rhetoric.

From Salon

It will soon become clear whether some of his more divisive and inflammatory rhetoric about immigrants makes some businesses think twice about sponsoring the event for fear of being associated with the president.

From BBC

But it’s also likely that Trump will do anything and everything he can for his new friend—and that may well include bailing out X from its massive debts, as well as fashioning it into even more of a straight government propaganda channel than it was during the peak era of inflammatory President Donald Trump tweets.

From Slate

He was inflammatory and race-baiting in a way that made his previous two campaigns look positively statesmanlike.

From Slate

Related Words

• incendiary
• intemperate
• provocative