inflame

[ in-fleym ]

verb (used with object)

, in·flamed, in·flam·ing.

1. to kindle or excite (passions, desires, etc.).
2. to arouse to a high degree of passion or feeling:

   His harangue inflamed the rabble.

   Antonyms: soothe, cool

3. to incite or rouse, as to violence:

   His words inflamed the angry mob to riot.

4. (of an emotion, as rage) to cause to redden or grow heated:

   Uncontrollable rage inflamed his face.

5. to cause inflammation in:

   Her eyes were inflamed with crying.

6. to raise (the blood, bodily tissue, etc.) to a morbid or feverish heat.
7. to set aflame, ablaze, or afire; set on fire.
8. to redden with or as with flames:

   The setting sun inflames the sky.

verb (used without object)

, in·flamed, in·flam·ing.

1. to burst into flame; take fire.
2. to be kindled, as passion.
3. to become hot with passion, as the heart.
4. to become excessively affected with inflammation.

inflame

/ ɪnˈfleɪm /

verb

1. to arouse or become aroused to violent emotion
2. tr to increase or intensify; aggravate
3. to produce inflammation in (a tissue, organ, or part) or (of a tissue, etc) to become inflamed
4. to set or be set on fire; kindle
5. tr to cause to redden

Derived Forms

• inˈflamer, noun
• inˈflamingly, adverb

Other Words From

• in·flam·ed·ness [in-, fley, -mid-nis], noun
• in·flamer noun
• in·flaming·ly adverb
• rein·flame verb reinflamed reinflaming
• unin·flamed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of inflame¹

First recorded in 1300–50; in- ² + flame; replacing Middle English enflammen, from Middle French enflammer, from Latin inflammāre “to kindle”

Synonym Study

See incite. See kindle ¹.

Example Sentences

The preparations, as Zeldovich notes, often contain remains of vanquished bacteria that, when injected, inflame the immune system and put the patient at risk.

From Salon

She said she first started getting the injectables after the Bell's palsy several years back had left her face inflamed and swollen, making her a recluse.

From BBC

This level considers understanding fears, and how they are inflamed and manipulated.

From Salon

"Wood is more durable in space than on Earth because there's no water or oxygen that would rot or inflame it," Kyoto University forest science professor Koji Murata told Reuters news agency.

From BBC

She also has Crohn's disease - a lifelong condition which causes parts of the digestive system to become inflamed - and has previously spoken about its toll on her health.

From BBC

Related Words

• agitate
• arouse
• disturb
• embitter
• enrage
• exacerbate
• fire up
• foment
• heat up
• ignite
• incense
• infuriate
• intensify
• irritate
• kindle
• provoke
• rile
• roil
• rouse
• stimulate