YOUR VOCABULARY, ONE WORD AT A TIME

incendiary

Adjective

IPA /ɪnˈsendiəri/

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Meaning in plain English

Likely to stir up intense anger or conflict.

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Pronunciation

incendiary/ɪnˈsendiəri/

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A discussion is initially calm
A speaker makes an inflammatory accusation
Strong anger spreads through the room

Incendiary remarks can provoke intense anger or conflict.

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His incendiary comments turned a calm family discussion into an argument.
The editor removed an incendiary accusation that the evidence did not support.

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His ________ comments turned a calm family discussion into an argument.

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incendiary — Likely to stir up intense anger or conflict.

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Likely to stir up intense anger or conflict.

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Word origin

From Latin incendiarius, related to incendere, meaning set fire to.

Did you know?

Incendiary also has a literal meaning connected with starting fires.

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