1
2
as in firebrand
a person who stirs up public feelings especially of discontent
blamed the protests on outside incendiaries who were intent on overthrowing the government
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in provocative
tending to excite political disorder or insurrection
recklessly made incendiary remarks during a period of heightened racial tensions
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of incendiary
Bill Reinhard, New York Daily News, 26 Jan. 2024
The fire marshal’s investigation indicated that the cause of the fire, which started in an interior hallway, was an incendiary.
—Aegis Staff Report, Baltimore Sun, 23 Jan. 2024
Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 25 Nov. 2024
Western security officials have said that incendiary devices that ignited in Germany and the United Kingdom in July were part of a covert Russian operation that aimed to start fires aboard cargo and passenger flights heading to the US and Canada, the Wall Street Journal reported.
—Lauren Kent, CNN, 25 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for incendiary 
Noun
Aiyuk is the next incendiary to go off, especially if Deebo Samuel can’t go.
—Bill Reinhard, New York Daily News, 26 Jan. 2024
The fire marshal’s investigation indicated that the cause of the fire, which started in an interior hallway, was an incendiary.
—Aegis Staff Report, Baltimore Sun, 23 Jan. 2024
Adjective
Each took ten incendiary devices filled with Greek fire, a mixture of chemicals that the attackers believed only required brief exposure to air to ignite.
—Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 25 Nov. 2024
Western security officials have said that incendiary devices that ignited in Germany and the United Kingdom in July were part of a covert Russian operation that aimed to start fires aboard cargo and passenger flights heading to the US and Canada, the Wall Street Journal reported.
—Lauren Kent, CNN, 25 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for incendiary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for incendiary
Noun
-
Several Democrats are challenging their older peers for key committee positions in the lower chamber, as the party reckons with an election cycle where many Democrats say President Biden belatedly passed the torch.The Hill, The Hill, 6 Dec. 2024
-
On the current musical side of things, Jenny is content to carry the torch for Ace of Base all by herself and is making new music all her own.Joshua Dudley, Forbes, 5 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
House Republican leader, Newt Gingrich, led a rebellion against the package, and conservative firebrand Pat Buchanan challenged Bush in the 1992 primaries, weakening Bush's bid for a second term.Ron Elving, NPR, 7 Dec. 2024
-
Matt Gaetz was an inspired pick for attorney general, but some of the Republican senators simply couldn't let a firebrand do what the American people wanted.Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
To photograph her as a model, in the bold outfits and provocative poses that advertising and editorial employ, renders that photographic language distinctly visible, and critiquable.Max Norman, ARTnews.com, 9 Dec. 2024
-
The movie’s sharp humor and layered storytelling explore themes of faith and ambition in a way that feels both fresh and provocative.Okla Jones, Essence, 9 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
Israel, Iran race to cement relations with Syrian rebels The sudden fall this weekend of the Assad regime, long backed by Iran and allied with its proxy forces in the region, represented a welcome development for Netanyahu.Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA TODAY, 10 Dec. 2024
-
As Bashar al-Assad's government collapsed and Syrian rebels rose to power, Israel embarked on an extensive bombing campaign, purportedly aimed at disarming extremists who may rise to power during the unrest.Joseph Epstein, Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
Though rare, copper IUDs may cause more serious side effects, such as uterine perforation and pelvic inflammatory disease.3 1.Wendy Wisner, Health, 11 Dec. 2024
-
The defense has dismissed these claims as inflammatory, arguing that the prosecution is presenting a skewed version of events.Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 3 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
Initially a religious movement focused on promoting Yemen's Zaidi Shiite Muslim community, Ansar Allah grew into a powerful insurgent group that captured large swathes of northern territory, including Sanaa, between late 2014 and early 2015.Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 16 Dec. 2024
-
The country is now largely under the control of an insurgent group named Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS.Kim Hjelmgaard, USA TODAY, 16 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
Although he’s always been a divisive figure, the author is now seen less as a provocateur and more as an out-of-touch misogynist.The Atlantic, The Atlantic, 4 Dec. 2024
-
That’s exactly what Maurizio Cattelan, the artist and provocateur behind Comedian, intended.Natalie Stoclet, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024
Noun
-
So when a demagogue like Trump speaks to her pain and promises to bring factories back, of course her heart leaps.Nicholas Kristof, The Mercury News, 4 Sep. 2024
-
As a result, the very outcome the founders most feared, namely election of a demagogue by a gullible cult of true-believers, has been made possible because of the Electoral College, which was originally designed to avoid precisely that outcome.Joseph J. Ellis, The Mercury News, 31 Oct. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near incendiary
Cite this Entry
“Incendiary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/incendiary. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share