inflaming 1 of 2

adjective

variants also enflaming
as in hostile

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inflaming

2 of 2

verb

variants also enflaming
present participle of inflame
1
as in angering
to make angry the newspaper editorial inflamed her enough to inspire her to dash off a letter to the editor

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in burning
to set (something) on fire a carelessly tossed cigarette inflamed the papers in the trash can

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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 inflaming
Verb
China is increasingly worried about North Korea’s role in creating and intensifying these risks—and about the need to adjust its North Korea strategy to manage them without inflaming tensions and further destabilizing the region. — Zheng Jiyong, Foreign Affairs, 10 Aug. 2026 Chad Gable spent much of last year recovering from surgery after inflaming lucha libre fans with his El Grande Americano gimmick. — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026 Containing Iran’s influence without inflaming a domestic front appears to be the priority. — Mohammed Sergie, semafor.com, 15 June 2026 Footage of an activist being dragged away from the development went viral, further inflaming public opposition. — Emmet Lyons, CBS News, 6 June 2026 The federal government has denied allegations of substandard conditions and accused protesters of inflaming tensions. — ABC News, 4 June 2026 The draft crisis is straining Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s fragile coalition, inflaming secular–religious tensions and raising the prospect of early elections as ultra-Orthodox leaders vow defiance over conscription. — Melanie Lidman, Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2026 Since the party rose to power in 2014, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the helm, critics have accused it of stifling civil liberties and the press, pursuing a Hindu-first agenda, and inflaming religious divisions within India’s secular democracy. — Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 22 May 2026 Unfortunately, Lace delivers a kick that knocks Jinx on his back, inflaming an old injury. — Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 22 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inflaming
  1. hostile
  2. angering
  3. burning
  4. riling
  5. infuriating
  6. igniting
  7. maddening
  8. enraging
Adjective
  • Forecasters said the system is expected to be short-lived because of hostile environmental conditions starting on Friday that will prevent it from developing further.
    — Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Electronic warfare systems such as NGJ-MB are carried by aircraft and use advanced electronics to interfere with or counter hostile electromagnetic systems.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of hostile
Verb
  • However, Gemini halted withdrawals from its Earn program in November 2022, angering some of its more than 300,000 users.
    — Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Newsom also wants to reduce payments that fire victims can receive for non-economic damages including pain and suffering, angering victims of the Eaton fire.
    — Melody Petersen, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of angering
Verb
  • The Ross Fire burning west of Fort Worth in Palo Pinto County appears to be holding steady at around 85,000 acres and 26% containment Friday, according to Texas A&M Forest Service officials.
    — Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Planet-heating emissions from burning fossil fuels such as oil, gas and coal are the primary driver of climate change.
    — Ava Berger, NPR, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of burning
Adjective
  • The only thing more riling than a referee’s interference in a sports event is a politician’s.
    — Sally Jenkins, The Atlantic, 6 July 2026
Definition of riling
Verb
  • But maybe that low point and the unexpected departure of Stokes and the return of Joe Root as Test captain ahead of the white-ball skipper has proved a turning point for one of the most gifted but infuriating batters of his generation.
    — Paul Newman, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026
  • There are a variety of reasons for this — from reasonable to infuriating — why those who paid higher prices won’t be getting refunds.
    — Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of infuriating
Verb
  • Napier’s fate was effectively sealed in 2025 when defensive tackle Brendan Bett was penalized and ejected for spitting on a USF player, igniting the Bulls’ game-winning drive.
    — Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Aug. 2026
  • However, data show that roads actually tend to increase the risk of fires igniting.
    — Patrick Parenteau, The Conversation, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of igniting
Adjective
  • The Smith experience is always going to be a roller coaster, impressive feats of accuracy and arm talent mixed with desperation heaves and maddening turnovers.
    — Zack Rosenblatt, New York Times, 22 Aug. 2026
  • The sequence was the boiling point of a maddening, inexplicable few days in Minnesota.
    — Gabriel Burns, AJC.com, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of maddening
Verb
  • North Carolina and Bill Belichick got zero, no doubt enraging girlfriend Jordon Hudson.
    — Greg Cote August 2, Miami Herald, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Before the agreement was announced, Israeli forces struck in Beirut, enraging Trump, who has publicly expressed his fury with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
    — Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 15 June 2026
Definition of enraging

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inflames
inflaming
inflammable
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Cite this Entry

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

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