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as in firebrand
a person who stirs up public feelings especially of discontent
blamed the protests on outside incendiaries who were intent on overthrowing the government
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in provocative
tending to excite political disorder or insurrection
recklessly made incendiary remarks during a period of heightened racial tensions
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of incendiary
Bill Reinhard, New York Daily News, 26 Jan. 2024
The fire marshal’s investigation indicated that the cause of the fire, which started in an interior hallway, was an incendiary.
—Aegis Staff Report, Baltimore Sun, 23 Jan. 2024
Chloe Mayer, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 June 2025
Soliman is being held on $10,000,000 bond, according to the Boulder County Jail, which listed a range of felony charges against him, including use of an incendiary device.
—Leah Sarnoff, ABC News, 2 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for incendiary
Noun
Aiyuk is the next incendiary to go off, especially if Deebo Samuel can’t go.
—Bill Reinhard, New York Daily News, 26 Jan. 2024
The fire marshal’s investigation indicated that the cause of the fire, which started in an interior hallway, was an incendiary.
—Aegis Staff Report, Baltimore Sun, 23 Jan. 2024
Adjective
Eight people were injured after a man hurled makeshift incendiary devices into a crowd at a pro-Israel event in Boulder, Colorado, on Sunday.
—Chloe Mayer, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 June 2025
Soliman is being held on $10,000,000 bond, according to the Boulder County Jail, which listed a range of felony charges against him, including use of an incendiary device.
—Leah Sarnoff, ABC News, 2 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for incendiary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for incendiary
Noun
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My mom rocked her plain white canvas sneakers through her four years at Michigan State University (that's her in the picture on the day the Olympic torch was run through the MSU campus in 1984).—
Chaunie Brusie,
Parents,
2 June 2025
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The catalyst for some mysterious events is the original Green Lantern, a hero introduced in 1940, who still carries a torch for his first love, Johnny Ladd.—
George Gene Gustines,
New York Times,
1 June 2025
Noun
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The audience lapped up everything this firebrand 5-foot-tall Indian auntie had to say.—
Sarah Khan,
New York Times,
29 May 2025
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Even in a ruby red Georgia community represented by conservative firebrand and immigration hardliner Marjorie Taylor Greene in Congress, Arias Cristobal's arrest has made many uneasy.—
May 14,
CBS News,
14 May 2025
Adjective
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Sign up for the Race/Related Newsletter Join a deep and provocative exploration of race, identity and society with New York Times journalists.—
Troy Closson,
New York Times,
30 May 2025
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The movies were provocative by design, and many critics condemned the movie.—
Jordan Hoffman,
EW.com,
30 May 2025
Noun
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Also starring Jamie Lee Curtis, the original 2003 flick found Lohan’s character — a teenage rebel who fronts a rock band called Pink Slip — magically switching bodies with her mother.—
Hannah Dailey,
Billboard,
28 May 2025
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Bo was a rebel on a motorcycle who soon fell for the rich and spirited Hope.—
Victoria Edel,
People.com,
26 May 2025
Adjective
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Chief Justice John Roberts must strongly rebuke Trump, Miller, Leavitt, and any other members of the Trump regime who use inflammatory language against federal judges.—
Robert B. Reich,
Hartford Courant,
3 June 2025
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The outlet is known for reporting inflammatory stories that often have little regard for facts and accuracy, including that the 2012 massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School was staged to promote a liberal agenda.—
Brian Niemietz,
New York Daily News,
30 May 2025
Noun
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For decades, the Philippine armed forces battled insurgents in the southern reaches of the archipelago.—
ELY RATNER,
Foreign Affairs,
27 May 2025
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The insurgents have become the establishment, and the purpose of the establishment is always to protect itself.—
Chris Stirewalt,
The Hill,
23 May 2025
Noun
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Braun was already known as a provocateur known for spreading Russian propaganda.—
Vanessa Gera,
Los Angeles Times,
19 May 2025
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Years from now, looking back on this AI boom, OpenAI could turn out to be less important for its technology than for playing the role of provocateur.—
Alex Reisner,
The Atlantic,
13 May 2025
Noun
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It can be applied to any of a number of demagogues including President Trump.—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
30 May 2025
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Their picks examine the power of demagogues, the injustices of the immigration system, the reasons protest movements have failed, and the fear of others.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
28 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Incendiary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/incendiary. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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