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Showing results for fan the flames. Search instead for fanning flames/2.
Definitions

fan the flames

VERB
exacerbate
Synonyms
STRONGEST
aggravate annoy heighten inflame intensify irritate provoke worsen
STRONG
embitter enrage envenom exasperate excite increase madden vex
WEAK
add insult to injury egg on feed the fire go from bad to worse heat up hit on push one's button rattle one's cage rub salt in a wound
Antonyms
STRONGEST
aid alleviate appease calm delight help improve make happy please soothe
STRONG
comfort compose pacify placate
VERB
foment
Synonyms
STRONGEST
abet arouse brew incite whip up
STRONG
agitate cultivate encourage excite foster goad nurse nurture promote quicken raise set spur start stimulate
WEAK
set on sow the seeds stir up
Antonyms
STRONGEST
deter discourage
STRONG
calm conclude condemn depress destroy dissuade end finish ignore lull neglect quiet repress stop tranquilize
WEAK
cease dampen
VERB
make worse
Synonyms
WEAK
add insult to injury aggravate exacerbate intensify irritate rub salt into the wound twist the knife in the wound worsen

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.

Others worry capping withdrawals will upset investors and fan the flames, so they paid out as much as 15%.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 27, 2026

It also appears designed not to fan the flames before the weekend.

From BBC • Sep. 24, 2025

If such a tragedy were to occur, it would just escalate matters and fan the flames of militancy, expand the protest movement, and create more legitimacy problems for both the police and university administrators.

From Salon • May 14, 2024

Wildfires continued to burn out of control in northern Texas on Friday morning, and officials warned that warm, windy and dry weather was expected to return over the weekend that could fan the flames.

From New York Times • Mar. 1, 2024

We hurried through the gate so we wouldn’t be late to Mr. Nossik’s class and fan the flames of hatred for all things Cade Hernandez so early in our week of freedom.

From "100 Sideways Miles" by Andrew Smith

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.