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
Example 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
Brad Lendon, CNN, 7 Sep. 2024
But the only traditional incendiaries in the story are the radical Protestant preacher Anne Askew (Erin Doherty), a friend of Katherine’s, and Henry’s minion, Bishop Stephen Gardiner, played by an inquisitorial Simon Russell Beale.
—Michael O'Sullivan, Washington Post, 14 June 2024
Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2025
Where Van Sant gets serious is in the film’s incendiary final stretch, which seems to agree with many of the characters that Kiritsis is a folk hero.
—Katie Rife, IndieWire, 2 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for incendiary
Noun
Ukrainian officers also accused Russia of using incendiaries in attacks on the city of Bakhmut last year.
—Brad Lendon, CNN, 7 Sep. 2024
But the only traditional incendiaries in the story are the radical Protestant preacher Anne Askew (Erin Doherty), a friend of Katherine’s, and Henry’s minion, Bishop Stephen Gardiner, played by an inquisitorial Simon Russell Beale.
—Michael O'Sullivan, Washington Post, 14 June 2024
Adjective
Aware of the raw, incendiary power of her subject matter, Ben Hania doesn’t sensationalize this story, keeping the action fixed entirely in the call center itself, with actors portraying the dispatchers on the line.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2025
Where Van Sant gets serious is in the film’s incendiary final stretch, which seems to agree with many of the characters that Kiritsis is a folk hero.
—Katie Rife, IndieWire, 2 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for incendiary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for incendiary
Noun
-
David remains the visionary behind Mango’s, while his son Joshua carries the torch as CEO.—
Matthew Kayser,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Forget passing the torch — Orlando Bloom isn't ready to let Legolas go.—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The young firebrand, 31, was a staunch political ally of Trump and helped fuel his political comeback and return to the White House in January.—
Josh Meyer,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
-
The Georgia firebrand, who has been insistent that the United States stay out of affairs abroad, has attempted similar amendments to both the NDAA and appropriations bills in past years and recently, with no success.—
Rachel Schilke,
The Washington Examiner,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
That group, which began on college campuses, quickly drew attention with its provocative events and Kirk’s willingness to debate critics onstage.—
Samantha-Jo Roth,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Kirk frequently attacked mainstream media and engaged in culture war issues around race, gender and immigration, often in a provocative style.—
N'dea Yancey-Bragg,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
But in a region being fought over by a patchwork of anti-junta rebel groups, the military and pro-military militia – and given the widespread distrust of the Rohingya – information on where exactly his family are, or what will become of them, has not been forthcoming.—
Esha Mitra,
CNN Money,
14 Sep. 2025
-
By the finale, the galactic chessboard is crowded with players—emperors, rebels, prophets, impostors—but as Hari Seldon (Jared Harris) warned in the very first episode, the center cannot hold.—
JP Mangalindan,
Time,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
There are different types of biologic medicines, but typically, these powerful drugs work for people with a condition like mine by blocking specific inflammatory pathways in your immune system to help control inflammation and pain.—
Korin Miller,
SELF,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Jerry Seinfeld made some rather inflammatory comments about the Israel-Gaza war on Tuesday.—
James Hibberd,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Although some analysts have suggested Starmer may quietly be pleased with the resignation of his main rival and potential successor, the toppling of Rayner caps off what has been a dreadful summer for Labour, in which the party has lost more ground in the polls to the insurgent Reform UK.—
Max Foster,
CNN Money,
5 Sep. 2025
-
This might enable a mission which, for example, a Viper is located covertly next to a safe house known to be used by insurgents.—
David Hambling,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Kirk gained an online audience for his right-wing provocateur persona.—
Richard Hall,
Time,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Gibby was the absolute provocateur.—
Pat Blashill,
Rolling Stone,
28 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Our shrinking attention span has left us vulnerable to demagogues and misinformation from every direction.—
Doug McIntyre,
Oc Register,
31 Aug. 2025
-
Because huge shocks to the system tend to empower either a) bold problem solvers or b) populist demagogues.—
Matt K. Lewis,
Twin Cities,
19 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Incendiary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/incendiary. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share