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

In plantar fasciitis, the tough tissue at the bottom of the foot that connects the heel to the toes is inflamed. —Cory Martin, Verywell Health, 18 Dec. 2024

The tumors contained a high number of lipids, microscopic fatty compounds produced when enzymes break down food, that will likely inflame rather than heal a tumor. —Christopher O'Donnell, Orlando Sentinel, 10 Dec. 2024

The comments about President-elect Donald J. Trump’s pick to lead the department inflamed Republican politicians, who often say universities are inhospitable to conservative values and are likely to point to this example as evidence during the next round of state budget deliberations. —Kelly Meyerhofer, Journal Sentinel, 9 Dec. 2024

Asthma is a chronic lung condition that inflames and narrows the airways in the lungs. —Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 27 Nov. 2024

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

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