inflame

verb

in·​flame in-ˈflām How to pronounce inflame (audio)
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

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
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.
The overstressed tissue, either along your arch or right next to your heel, can then sustain tiny tears and become irritated, inflamed, and painful. Cindy Kuzma, SELF, 4 Apr. 2025 The ruling also could inflame residents living near the stadium even more, escalating feelings that Wu has bulldozed the community into accepting the stadium for a professional women’s soccer team. Joe Battenfeld, Boston Herald, 3 Apr. 2025 The administration's push back on Boasberg's court order, as expressed in court filings and press briefings, has inflamed Republican's push for the judge's removal, with Representative Brandon Gill of Texas formally filing articles of impeachment. Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 22 Mar. 2025 Shoham said their guards told them they were being purposely starved so that, upon their release, the images of their skeletal frames and sunken faces would inflame the Israeli public and force the Netanyahu government to broker a deal. Matt Gutman, ABC News, 17 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for inflame

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of inflame was in the 14th century

Cite this Entry

“Inflame.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inflame. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

inflame

verb
in·​flame in-ˈflām How to pronounce inflame (audio)
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 How to pronounce inflame (audio)
inflamed; inflaming

transitive verb

: to cause inflammation in (bodily tissue)
inflame the sinuses

intransitive verb

: to become affected with inflammation

More from Merriam-Webster on inflame

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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