inflame

verb

in·​flame in-ˈflām How to pronounce inflame (audio)
variants or less commonly
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.
Iran seeks a deal to steady a troubled economy Iran’s internal politics are still inflamed over the mandatory hijab, or headscarf, with women still ignoring the law on the streets of Tehran. Matthew Lee and Jon Gambrell, Los Angeles Times, 19 Apr. 2025 Both were enraged by federal actions during a 1992 standoff in Ruby Ridge, Idaho, and the 1993 siege of a religious sect’s compound in Waco, Texas, both of which had turned deadly and inflamed far-right fears about federal intrusion on freedoms around guns and religion. Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 18 Apr. 2025 De Moraes’s most stringent actions have only inflamed Bolsonaro’s followers. Jon Lee Anderson, New Yorker, 7 Apr. 2025 Her gallbladder and liver, which used to be inflamed, are now healthy. Rachel Flynn, People.com, 4 Apr. 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 29 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!