inflammatory
ihn-FLA-muht-ree
Inflammatory (adj) means Likely to provoke anger or strong reaction, especially through speech or writing. Example: “The newspaper was criticized for its inflammatory headline.”
adj
1
Likely to provoke anger or strong reaction, especially through speech or writing.
"The newspaper was criticized for its inflammatory headline."
"He avoided making any inflammatory remarks during the debate."
"Her inflammatory speech left the crowd shouting angrily at each other."
2
Relating to or causing inflammation in the body.
"Arthritis is an inflammatory condition affecting the joints."
"The doctor prescribed a cream to calm the inflammatory reaction on his skin."
"Some foods may make inflammatory conditions of the gut worse."
How to use inflammatory
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishProvocative and likely to stir anger, or, medically, related to swelling and irritation.
Common pairings
inflammatory remarks
inflammatory rhetoric
inflammatory disease
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Word forms
- Plural
- inflammatories
- Comparative
- more inflammatory
- Superlative
- most inflammatory
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The newspaper was criticized for its _____ headline.
Etymology
Built on inflame plus the suffix -atory.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for inflammatory
See all rhymes for inflammatory →Frequently asked questions
What does “inflammatory” mean?
The word “inflammatory” means likely to provoke anger or strong reaction, especially through speech or writing. In plain terms, provocative and likely to stir anger, or, medically, related to swelling and irritation.
How do you pronounce “inflammatory”?
“Inflammatory” is pronounced ihn-FLA-muht-ree (/ɪnˈflæmət(ə)ɹi/ in IPA).
How do you use “inflammatory” in a sentence?
Here is “inflammatory” used in a sentence: “The newspaper was criticized for its inflammatory headline.”
What part of speech is “inflammatory”?
“Inflammatory” is an adjective.
Is “inflammatory” a common word?
“Inflammatory” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “inflammatory” have?
“Inflammatory” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: likely to provoke anger or strong reaction, especially through speech or writing.
What is the difference between inflammatory language and inflammatory disease?
Inflammatory language describes speech or writing likely to provoke anger or a strong reaction, while inflammatory disease refers to a medical condition relating to or causing inflammation in the body. The two senses share the word but apply to entirely different contexts, social versus physical.
How is 'inflammatory' used in news or political writing?
In news and political writing, inflammatory typically describes remarks, rhetoric, or statements likely to provoke anger or a strong reaction, often used to criticize speech seen as deliberately provocative.
What is an example of an inflammatory medical condition?
An inflammatory condition is one relating to or causing inflammation in the body, such as arthritis, where tissues become red, swollen, and painful as part of the disease process.
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