inflame

verb

in·​flame in-ˈflām 

variants or less commonly enflame

inflamed also enflamed; inflaming also enflaming

transitive verb

1

a

: to excite to excessive or uncontrollable action or feeling

especially : to make angry

b

: to make more heated or violent : intensify

insults served only to inflame the feud

2

: to set on fire : kindle

3

: to cause to redden or grow hot from anger or excitement

a face inflamed with passion

4

: to cause inflammation in (bodily tissue)

intransitive verb

1

: to burst into flame

2

: to become excited or angered

3

: to become affected with inflammation

inflamer noun

Synonyms

• anger
• enrage
• incense
• infuriate
• ire
• mad
• madden
• outrage
• rankle
• rile
• roil
• steam up
• tick off

Examples of inflame in a Sentence

His angry speech inflamed the mob.

ideas that inflame the imagination

His comments have inflamed an already tense situation.

inflaming the passions of the mob

a chemical that can inflame the skin

Recent Examples on the Web

Moreover, a potential global trade war under a Trump presidency could inflame inflationary pressures at a time when the Federal Reserve has spent more than two years putting out the fire. —Yun Li, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2024

The actions have further inflamed tensions in the region — already destabilized by Israel’s war on Hamas in Gaza — and has resulted in the deaths of numerous Lebanese armed forces members. —Ellen Mitchell, The Hill, 1 Nov. 2024

These could all be symptoms of bronchitis, a condition that develops when the airways in your lungs become inflamed, or pneumonia, which causes your lungs to fill up with fluid or pus. —Juno Demelo, Glamour, 25 Oct. 2024

However, if these diverticula become inflamed or infected, diverticulitis develops, which can lead to a range of uncomfortable symptoms that can hinder daily life. —Jake Parks, Discover Magazine, 17 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English enflamen, from Anglo-French enflamer, from Latin inflammare, from in- + flamma flame

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Kids Definition

inflame

verb

in·​flame in-ˈflām 

inflamed; inflaming

1

: to set on fire : kindle

2

: to excite to too much action or feeling

especially : to make angry

3

: to cause to redden or grow hot from anger or excitement

4

: to cause inflammation in (bodily tissue)

5

: to become affected with inflammation

Medical Definition

inflame

verb

in·​flame in-ˈflām 

inflamed; inflaming

transitive verb

: to cause inflammation in (bodily tissue)

inflame the sinuses

intransitive verb

: to become affected with inflammation