ENGLISH
REFERENCE

inflammatory

adj.
C1 Advanced US //ɪnˈfɫæməˌtɔɹi// UK //ɪnflˈæmətəɹˌi// in·flam·ma·to·ry

adj. intended to make people feel very angry or upset. It can also describe something that causes part of your body to become red, swollen, and painful.

adj. tending to excite anger, disorder, or tumult; also relating to or causing physical inflammation. Often describes speech or writing designed to provoke a strong emotional reaction.


SIMPLE

The politician made several inflammatory remarks during the debate.

CONTEXTUAL

The newspaper was criticized for its inflammatory headlines, which many felt were designed to incite public anger rather than inform.

COMPLEX

The diplomat carefully avoided inflammatory language, knowing that a single provocative phrase could derail the fragile peace negotiations that had taken months to establish.

Synonyms
Origin

From inflame + -atory.

Usage

Commonly modifies nouns related to communication, such as 'rhetoric', 'speech', 'remarks', or 'language'.

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