INCENDIARY Synonyms: 68 Similar and Opposite Words

incendiary 1 of 2

noun

Definition of incendiary

as in torch

a person who deliberately and unlawfully sets fire to a building or other property firefighters caught the incendiary, who was watching the effects of his handiwork

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in firebrand

a person who stirs up public feelings especially of discontent blamed the protests on outside incendiaries who were intent on overthrowing the government

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

incendiary

2 of 2

adjective

in-ˈsen-dē-ˌer-ē

as in provocative

tending to excite political disorder or insurrection recklessly made incendiary remarks during a period of heightened racial tensions

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of incendiary

Noun

Ukrainian officers also accused Russia of using incendiaries in attacks on the city of Bakhmut last year. — Brad Lendon, CNN, 7 Sep. 2024 But the only traditional incendiaries in the story are the radical Protestant preacher Anne Askew (Erin Doherty), a friend of Katherine’s, and Henry’s minion, Bishop Stephen Gardiner, played by an inquisitorial Simon Russell Beale. — Michael O'Sullivan, Washington Post, 14 June 2024

Adjective

Greek fire The Byzantine Empire deployed an incendiary substance known as Greek fire during naval warfare from around the seventh century CE. — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 16 Aug. 2026 In these difficult and incendiary times, perspectives such as Poe’s are often silenced and forced to remain in the shadows. — Chicago Tribune, 16 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for incendiary

Recent Examples of Synonyms for incendiary

Noun

Steve Steve Young took the torch from Joe Montana in San Francisco and won three Super Bowl rings and a pair of MVP awards.

— Beth Ann Mayer, Parents, 1 Sep. 2026
View gallery - 4 images For decades, the recipe for a premium folding bicycle has been to engineer a smart hinge mechanism, choose your metal and fire up the welding torch.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of torch

Noun

Our reading list spanned the spectrum from GOP strategist Richard Viguerie and evangelical firebrand Francis Schaeffer to academic analysts like Erling Jorstad and George Marsden.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 25 Aug. 2026
Can Democratic firebrand Angie Nixon win in deep-red Florida?

— Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of firebrand

Adjective

Fine made headlines with inflammatory comments about Armenians (Bilzerian is Armenian-American) in addition to his rhetoric on Muslims.

— Joseph Strauss, Sun Sentinel, 31 Aug. 2026
After winning historic Latino support in 2024, Trump now faces collapsing approval as mass deportations, economic stagnation and inflammatory messaging like the bus graphic threaten GOP fortunes in the 2026 midterms.

— Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of inflammatory

Noun

The insecurity landscape is also more chaotic because some groups, after initially being invited to help defend against insurgents, turned into terrorists, said Dengiyefa Angalapu, an analyst at the Center for Democracy and Development in Abuja.

— Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 31 Aug. 2026
The intervention underscores Russia’s new role as protector of military regimes across the Sahel, where Africa Corps has replaced Wagner and prioritizes keeping juntas in power over battling insurgent groups.

— Chinedu Asadu, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of insurgent

Noun

Who might emerge as the provocateur of the Premier League touchline and who might cast dark aspersions in press conferences?

— Adam Crafton, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026
Donalds defeated several primary challengers, including far-right online provocateur James Fishback.

— Caroline Linton, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of provocateur

Noun

In recent years, totalizing ideologies such as communism, fascism, and Islamism have found dedicated audiences on social media, and the proliferation of demagogues manipulating people for malign ends is an ever-present worry.

— James Kirchick, The Atlantic, 13 Aug. 2026
And as Netanyahu’s coalitions hardened Schleien’s programs became edgier, skewering Netanyahu sycophants in the Likud Party, anti-élitist demagogues, cultic settlers, and rabbinic mandarins.

— Bernard Avishai, New Yorker, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of demagogue

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incendiaries

incendiary

incense

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“Incendiary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/incendiary. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of incendiary

noun

adjective

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