fan the fire

VERB

incite

Synonyms

STRONGEST

abet agitate arouse encourage exhort foment inflame inspire instigate motivate prompt provoke rouse set off spur trigger urge whip up

STRONG

activate actuate animate coax craze drive excite force forward further goad impel induce influence inspirit persuade prick promote push raise set solicit stimulate taunt

WEAK

egg on get to juice key up psych put up to stir up talk into work up

Antonyms

STRONGEST

block calm dampen depress deter discourage dissuade halt lull prevent quiet soothe stop tranquilize

STRONG

cease check deaden delay finish hinder impede repress suppress

WEAK

prohibit

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

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fan the fire

Rising incomes and household wealth, especially among upper-income families, are helping to fan the fire.

From MarketWatch ● Dec. 5, 2025

However, the threat of thunderstorms through Monday could fan the fire and bring even more lightning as winds from the southwest push the fire to the north and east.

From Fox News ● Jul. 20, 2021

Here's what Amazon should do to fan the fire: • Go head to head with Apple on a media tablet.

From The Guardian ● Apr. 6, 2010

And that would fan the fire for sure, get the pot boiling just when it had started to cool off.

From "In Cold Blood" by Truman Capote

Sometimes the outer covering of dirt and sods falls in, as the wood shrinks permitting the air to rush in and fan the fire to a blaze.

From Try Again or, the Trials and Triumphs of Harry West. A Story for Young Folks by Oliver Optic

fan the fire

Example Sentences

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