Words / C2

in-SEND-ee-uh-ree/ɪnˈsendiəri/

Incendiary means designed to start a fire, or, of speech, likely to inflame: an incendiary device, incendiary comments. Inflammatory is the close cousin for remarks; arson is the crime. Incense (make angry / a scent) is related. Do not call a numbered safety objection incendiary to shut it down.

Meaning

Designed to cause fire; of remarks, likely to provoke anger.

Examples

• “An incendiary leak of draft grades is not “robust debate”.”
• “Inflammatory is the speech cousin. A firebomb is the literal sense. Incense someone is anger them. A dated risk in the minutes can anger people and still be the right item. Theatre is not the same as naming a flame.”

Good to know

Fire-starting; inflammatory. Everyday (speech): inflammatory. Literal: causing fire. A required safety point is not incendiary for being unwelcome.

Near in meaning

inflammatory

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