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Incendiary: meaning, definitions and examples

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incendiary

 

[ɪnˈsɛndɪˌɛri ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

political

Tending to stir up conflict; provocative.

Synonyms

inflaming, inflammatory, provocative.

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Word Description / Examples
incendiary

This word is often used to describe something that is intended to cause fire or great excitement and disturbance. It can describe both physical objects, like weapons or devices that start fires, or speech/acts that incite strong emotions.

  • The police discovered an incendiary device in the building.
  • His incendiary remarks during the meeting caused an uproar.
inflammatory

This term is typically applied to speech, writing, or actions that are intended to arouse anger, hostility, or violence. It is often used in a political or social context and has a negative connotation.

  • The columnist was criticized for his inflammatory article.
  • The leader's inflammatory speech led to riots in the streets.
inflaming

Used when describing words or actions that are meant to provoke a strong emotional reaction, especially anger or violence. It often carries a negative connotation.

  • Her comments only served to inflame the already heated argument.
  • The inflammatory rhetoric from the politician inflamed tensions in the community.
provocative

Describes something that intentionally triggers strong emotions such as excitement, anger, or thought. It is often used in art, fashion, and media to describe material that challenges norms or elicits strong reactions.

  • The artist's new exhibit is both provocative and controversial.
  • Her provocative dress grabbed everyone's attention at the gala.

Examples of usage

  • The politician's incendiary remarks sparked a heated debate.
  • His incendiary speech caused outrage among the opposition.
Context #2 | Noun

weapon

A bomb or device designed to cause fires.

Synonyms

firebomb, inflammable device.

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Word Description / Examples
incendiary

Used to describe something or someone that causes fires or stirs up conflict. Often used in a metaphorical sense to describe speech or actions.

  • His incendiary remarks sparked a heated debate
  • The protest was marred by incendiary devices
firebomb

Specifically refers to a weapon designed to cause fires, typically used in acts of terrorism or war. It has a negative connotation.

  • The building was heavily damaged by a firebomb
  • The police discovered an unexploded firebomb in the abandoned car
inflammable device

Refers to an object that can easily catch fire and is designed to do so. Can be used in technical or formal descriptions.

  • The investigators found an inflammable device at the crime scene
  • Special precautions must be taken when handling inflammable devices

Examples of usage

  • The incendiary exploded, setting the building ablaze.
  • The military used incendiaries to destroy enemy infrastructure.
Context #3 | Adjective

literary

Of or involving arson; designed to cause fires.

Synonyms

arsonous, fire-raising.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
incendiary

This word is often used to describe something that is designed to cause fires or can incite strong emotions or actions. It can be used in both literal and metaphorical ways.

  • The writer's incendiary article sparked a lot of debates.
  • The police found an incendiary device in the abandoned building.
arsonous

This term is generally used in legal or formal contexts to describe actions related to arson, the criminal act of deliberately setting fire to property.

  • The suspect was charged with arsonous activities after the investigation.
  • Arsonous behavior can result in severe legal consequences.
fire-raising

This is a less common term, more frequently used in British English, and it describes the act of deliberately starting a fire. It is similar to 'arsonous' but slightly less formal.

  • The old mill was destroyed by a fire-raising incident.
  • They were accused of fire-raising after multiple fires broke out in the area.

Examples of usage

  • The incendiary plot of the novel kept readers on edge.
  • The character's incendiary actions led to a dramatic climax.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word originates from the Latin 'incendere,' which means 'to set on fire.'
  • It has been used in English since the 1600s, primarily related to fire and heat.

Literature

  • In literature, incendiary characters may provoke conflict, driving plot tension similar to a fire that can spread rapidly.
  • Popular uses include incendiary devices in spy novels or action films, symbolizing chaos and danger.

Politics

  • Political speeches can be described as incendiary when they stir up strong emotions or lead to protests.
  • Incendiary rhetoric may be used to mobilize people, but can also lead to division and unrest.

Science

  • In science, incendiary materials are those that ignite easily, like gasoline or certain chemicals, and require careful handling.
  • Understanding combustion and incendiary reactions is crucial in fields like firefighting and safety engineering.

Pop Culture

  • Movies and TV shows often depict incendiary weapons as powerful tools in action scenes, adding drama and suspense.
  • Songs and artworks can be described as incendiary if they evoke strong emotions or catalyze social movements.

Translations

Translations of the word "incendiary" in other languages:

🇵🇹 incendiário

🇮🇳 आग लगाने वाला

🇩🇪 brandstiftend

🇮🇩 pembakar

🇺🇦 підпалювальний

🇵🇱 podpalający

🇯🇵 放火の

🇫🇷 incendiaire

🇪🇸 incendiario

🇹🇷 yangın çıkarıcı

🇰🇷 방화의

🇸🇦 حارق

🇨🇿 zapalovací

🇸🇰 zápalný

🇨🇳 纵火的

🇸🇮 vnetljiv

🇮🇸 eldfimt

🇰🇿 өрт қоюшы

🇬🇪 დამწვავი

🇦🇿 yanğın çıxarıcı

🇲🇽 incendiario

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #20,431, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.