inflammatory
adjective
in·flam·ma·to·ry
in-ˈfla-mə-ˌtȯr-ē 
1
: tending to excite anger, disorder, or tumult
inflammatory remarks
argued that the evidence was only inflammatory and not probative of guilt
2
: tending to inflame or excite the senses
3
: accompanied by or tending to cause inflammation
Examples of inflammatory in a Sentence
She had an acute inflammatory reaction to the drug.
He incited the mob with an inflammatory speech.
Recent Examples on the Web
Collins has little in common with Hale, who once reportedly beat a newspaper editor with a whip for publishing an inflammatory article about his mother.
—
Garrett Downs, CNBC, 15 May 2026
Ultimately, this would lead to a stronger inflammatory response.
—Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 15 May 2026
This continues with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s inflammatory actions and remarks in November 2025, putting further strain on Japanese-Chinese relations.
—Kalai Chik, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
Some of his inflammatory remarks prompted WLRN staff to send a letter to management expressing fear that the dispute could jeopardize the station’s future.
—Aaron Leibowitz, Miami Herald, 14 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for inflammatory
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Garrett Downs, CNBC, 15 May 2026
Ultimately, this would lead to a stronger inflammatory response.
—Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 15 May 2026
This continues with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s inflammatory actions and remarks in November 2025, putting further strain on Japanese-Chinese relations.
—Kalai Chik, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
Some of his inflammatory remarks prompted WLRN staff to send a letter to management expressing fear that the dispute could jeopardize the station’s future.
—Aaron Leibowitz, Miami Herald, 14 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for inflammatory
Cite this Entry
“Inflammatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inflammatory. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
inflammatory
adjective
in·flam·ma·to·ry
in-ˈflam-ə-ˌtōr-ē
-ˌtȯr-
1
: stirring up anger, disorder, or rebellion
inflammatory speeches
2
: causing or accompanied by inflammation
inflammatory diseases
Medical Definition
inflammatory
adjective
in·flam·ma·to·ry
in-ˈflam-ə-ˌtōr-ē, -ˌtȯr-
: accompanied by or tending to cause inflammation
inflammatory diseases
Legal Definition
inflammatory
noun
in·flam·ma·to·ry
in-ˈfla-mə-ˌtōr-ē
: tending to cause anger, animosity, or indignation
the use of an alias by a defendant is…almost always inflammatory—F. D. Doucette
F. D. DoucetteNote: Evidence, and especially photographic evidence, may be deemed inadmissible if its inflammatory nature seriously outweighs its probative value or relevance. The mere fact that evidence is graphic or gruesome, however, is not enough to render it inadmissible.
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