variants
or less commonly enflame
inflamed also enflamed; inflaming also enflaming
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)
1
: to burst into flame
2
: to become excited or angered
3
: to become affected with inflammation
inflamer
noun
Synonyms
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
See all Example Sentences for inflame 
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.
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
See all Example Sentences for inflame
Articles Related to inflame
Dictionary Entries Near inflame
Cite this Entry
“Inflame.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inflame. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
Medical Definition
inflame
verb
in·flame
in-ˈflām 
inflamed; inflaming
: to cause inflammation in (bodily tissue)
inflame the sinuses
: to become affected with inflammation
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share