Words / C1

in-FLAYM/ɪnˈfleɪm/

To inflame is to make a feeling, especially anger, more intense; also to make a body part red and swollen: inflame a dispute, inflame a wound. Anger (already in the dictionary) is the noun; inflammatory (this batch) is the adjective. A leaked boundary still waits for the embargo.

Meaning

To make a feeling, especially anger, more intense; also to make a body part red and swollen.

Examples

• “A leaked boundary will inflame the hall; wait for the embargo.”
• “Aggravate is the close twin. Irritate is already in this course and milder. A leak is a file. Midnight is a clock. Hold the figure; then brief the hall.”

Good to know

Make anger worse (also: swell). Close: aggravate. A leak ≠ a lifted embargo.

Near in meaning

aggravate, provoke, exacerbate

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