Inflames

To inflame means to arouse or intensify strong emotion, especially anger or passion. It can also signify to cause or worsen inflammation, heat, or swelling in living tissue, or to make something worse or more intense. The word suggests a process of becoming more excited, agitated, or inflamed in the literal or figurative sense, leading to increased action or reaction. It implies a powerful effect, whether it relates to emotions, physical conditions, or abstract concepts.

Inflames meaning with examples

• The politician's inflammatory speech inflames the crowd, stirring up a dangerous level of anger and unrest that leads to a riot. The way they speak and behave often fuels further divide with misinformation, and a lack of understanding between sides. His words are like a match, setting alight previously held grievances. His intentions of speaking with such strong rhetoric appear to have backfired.
• The allergic reaction inflames the skin, causing redness, itching, and swelling which makes it unbearable. The affected area becomes hot to the touch and extremely uncomfortable. It rapidly progresses to a point of concern, and the best action would be to seek medical care and intervention immediately. A cool compress and ointment may bring relief.
• The constant criticism inflames her insecurities, causing her to doubt herself. These negative feelings create a vicious circle, leading to self-sabotage and ultimately preventing her from progressing at any point. What started as simple feedback now cripples her ability to confidently approach any situation and has turned into something so much more.
• His attempts to provoke a fight inflames the already tense atmosphere. He goes out of his way to start an argument, and make the other person, or persons, involved feel on edge. His belligerent behavior and insulting remarks seem to only make things worse, making a bad situation even more unstable and prone to escalating.