inflammatory

[in-flam-uh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee] / ɪnˈflæm əˌtɔr i, -ˌtoʊr i /

ADJECTIVE

instigative, angering

Synonyms

STRONGEST

incendiary intemperate provocative

WEAK

anarchic demagogic exciting explosive fiery incitive inflaming insurgent rabble-rousing rabid rebellious revolutionary riotous seditionary seditious

Antonyms

WEAK

calming mitigating placating pleasing tranquilizing

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.

BBC Wales has been shown copies of dozens of offensive Facebook posts, often using inflammatory language, from an account in Roberts' name, stretching from 2022 to 2025.

From BBC • Jun. 3, 2026

She said a police officer unrelated to the case had been forced to relocate, warning that "misinformation and inflammatory commentary is making a dreadful situation even worse".

From BBC • Jun. 2, 2026

In this case, fish oil appeared to improve blood sugar regulation not simply by changing fat levels, but by changing the inflammatory environment that helps drive insulin resistance.

From Science Daily • May 31, 2026

Other studies have also indicated that tomatoes and soy, either separately or together, may influence inflammatory and metabolic processes connected to obesity and other chronic diseases.

From Science Daily • May 30, 2026

Suffering from an enlarged heart and inflammatory rheumatism, he nevertheless continued to plow his fields the old-fashioned way—behind a team of mules.

From "The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics" by Daniel James Brown

Vocabulary lists containing inflammatory

The Vocabulary.com Top 1000

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The SAT: Words to Capture Tone, List 5

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The New SAT: Words to Capture Tone

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