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

If your skin is already red or inflamed from acne, salt water may cause more irritation.9 Risks and Considerations Using salt water on your skin can be irritating and may lead to redness and inflammation. —Susan Bard, Health, 18 Mar. 2025

Fear of escalation and lending credence to Houthis’ claim to be at war with America — thereby inflaming regional tensions and potentially boosting Houthi recruitment — stayed Biden’s hand. —The Editors, National Review, 18 Mar. 2025

Allergens can trigger an allergic reaction in some people, irritating and inflaming the airways and producing symptoms such as wheezing or difficulty breathing. —Cory Martin, Verywell Health, 17 Mar. 2025

But, like dancehall in Jamaica, popular music there has only grown more eerie, a reflection of the widening wealth gap, increased political corruption, and inflamed gang culture that is happening all over the world. —Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 7 Mar. 2025

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

Rhymes for inflame

• acclaim
• aflame
• airframe
• ballgame
• became
• declaim
• defame
• disclaim
• doorframe
• exclaim
• mainframe
• nickname

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