Enflame Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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enflame

[ɪnˈfleɪm ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Verb}

to arouse strong emotions

To enflame means to provoke or intensify strong emotions, especially anger or passion. It can also refer to the act of causing something to become inflamed, such as a wound or a body part.

Synonyms

incite, inflame, provoke, stir up.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
enflame	Use in poetic or dramatic contexts to describe lighting something on fire, either literally or metaphorically. Her passionate speech enflamed the hearts of the crowd The artist's words enflamed his imagination
incite	Use when describing an action that encourages or prompts others to engage in behavior, often with a negative connotation, such as violence or rebellion. The leader's rhetoric incited the mob to act They were accused of inciting a riot
inflame	Used to describe making a situation more intense, often by arousing strong feelings like anger or passion. It can have a negative connotation. The politician's remarks inflamed public opinion The article inflamed tensions between the two communities
provoke	Appropriate for describing an action or statement that triggers a reaction, often deliberately, and can be used in both positive and negative contexts. Her question was intended to provoke thought His rude comments provoked an argument
stir up	Casual or colloquial term used to describe causing emotions or situations to become more agitated or chaotic. Generally has a negative connotation. He tried to stir up trouble among the team The rumors stirred up a lot of anxiety in the community

Examples of usage

He knew his words would enflame her anger even more.
The politician's speech enflamed the crowd, leading to protests.
The hot spices enflamed his taste buds.
The doctor warned that scratching the insect bite would enflame the skin further.

^{Context #2 | Verb}

to set on fire

Another meaning of enflame is to set something on fire, to ignite or kindle a flame.

Synonyms

ignite, kindle, light, torch.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
enflame	Generally used in an emotional or metaphorical sense to describe stirring up intense feelings, often negative. It can also describe setting something physically on fire, but this usage is less common. The politician's speech enflamed the crowd, sparking outrage. Their constant lies enflamed tensions within the community.
ignite	Used to describe the action of starting a fire. It can also be used metaphorically to describe initiating a strong reaction or interest. He used a match to ignite the campfire. Her passion for music was ignited at a young age.
kindle	Typically refers to starting a small fire or sparking interest or emotion in someone. It has a somewhat gentle connotation. He used dry leaves to kindle the fire. The teacher's enthusiasm kindled a love of reading in her students.
light	Versatile word used to describe the act of making something visible by setting it on fire or turning on a light source. Also used in various idioms. She lit the candle during the power outage. He was eager to light the barbecue for the party.
torch	Primarily used to describe setting something on fire with destructive intent. It has a negative connotation and suggests intentional damage. The vandals torched the abandoned building. In protest, some individuals threatened to torch the vehicles.

Examples of usage

He enflamed the bonfire with gasoline.
The arsonist enflamed the building, causing extensive damage.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Origin of 'enflame'

The word 'enflame' originated from the Old French word 'enflamer', which means 'to set on fire'. Over time, its usage expanded to include the metaphorical sense of provoking strong emotions. The word has been in use since the 14th century and has evolved to encompass both literal and figurative meanings.