Incendiary definition

ĭn-sĕndē-ĕrē
incendiaries
See word origin
Frequency:
One who creates or stirs up conflict; an agitator.
noun
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Causing or designed to cause fires.

An incendiary device.

adjective
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The definition of incendiary is something that is likely to cause controversy, or something that is prone to starting fires.

An example of something described as incendiary is a controversial political topic like the death penalty.

An example of something described as incendiary is a highly explosive and flammable material.

adjective
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Causing a strong burning sensation in the mouth; very hot.

Incendiary wasabi.

adjective
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Of or containing chemicals that produce intensely hot fire when exploded.

An incendiary bomb.

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An incendiary bomb, bullet, or device.
noun
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A person who intentionally starts a fire with the purpose of causing damage or injury.
noun
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Having to do with the willful destruction of property by fire.
adjective
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Causing or designed to cause fires, as certain substances, bombs, etc.
adjective
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Willfully stirring up strife, riot, rebellion, etc.
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A person who willfully destroys property by fire.
noun
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A person who willfully stirs up strife, riot, rebellion, etc.
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An incendiary bomb, substance, etc.
noun
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An arsonist.
noun
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A bomb or combination of chemicals used to start a fire.
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Capable of, or used for, or actually causing fire.
adjective
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Intentionally stirring up strife, riot, rebellion.
adjective
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Inflammatory, emotionally charged.

Politics is an incendiary topic; it tends to cause fights to break out.

adjective
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Something capable of causing fire, particularly a weapon.

The military used incendiaries to destroy the building. Fortunately, the fire didn't spread.

noun
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One who maliciously sets fires; an arsonist.
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(figuratively) One who excites or inflames factions into quarrels; an agitator.
noun
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Intentionally started or set.

An incendiary fire.

adjective
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Tending to arouse strong emotion or conflict; inflammatory.

An incendiary speech.

adjective
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Other Word Forms

Noun

Singular:
incendiary
Plural:
incendiaries

Origin of incendiary

  • Middle English from Latin incendiārius from incendium fire from incendere to set on fire incense1

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • From Old French incendiaire, from Latin incendiārius (“setting alight”), from incendium (“destructive fire”), from incendō (“I set on fire, kindle”), from in- (“into, in, on, upon”) + candeō (“I am hot”).

    From Wiktionary

Incendiary Sentence Examples

  • All weapons are strictly prohibited from the stadium, from small knives to incendiary devices.

  • The principal's incendiary remarks about their clothes were not appropriate for the students to hear.

  • His team continued to clear the building and toss flares into corners as they sought out any living insurgents or incendiary devices.

  • The politician did not expect the responses to his town hall address to be so incendiary.

  • Enormous depreciation ensued and, although penalties rising to death itself were denounced against all who should refuse to take them at par, they fell to little more than r% of their carried a decree that Marat should be sent before the Revolutionary Tribunal for incendiary writings, but his acquittal showed that a Jacobin leader was above the law.

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