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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
Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 14 May 2025
Western security officials suspect Russian intelligence was behind a plot to put incendiary devices in packages on cargo planes headed to North America, including one that caught fire at a courier hub in Leipzig, Germany, and another that ignited in a warehouse in Birmingham, England.
—Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 May 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
Despite the seemingly incendiary nature of its subject matter, Love on Trial unfolds in a gentler tone than some of Fukada’s recent work, such as Harmonium or his 2023 Venice competition entry Love Life, both of which explored grief and family trauma on extreme terms.
—Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 14 May 2025
Western security officials suspect Russian intelligence was behind a plot to put incendiary devices in packages on cargo planes headed to North America, including one that caught fire at a courier hub in Leipzig, Germany, and another that ignited in a warehouse in Birmingham, England.
—Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for incendiary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for incendiary
Noun
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Now, Lalo is carrying the torch as a third-generation tequila maker.—
Claudia Alarcón,
Forbes.com,
19 May 2025
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The style is impressionistic and minimalist: Sometimes the only illumination is a flaming torch, the only color Union blue, the only soundtrack the howling of wolves.—
Jeannette Catsoulis,
New York Times,
15 May 2025
Noun
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The two men will go into the second round of voting on June 1, hoping to draw voters from other minor candidates, among them a significant bloc which voted for far-right firebrand Slawomir Mentzen, who came third with 14.8%.—
David Brennan,
ABC News,
21 May 2025
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What To Know According to the survey, New York Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez tops the list as the face of the Democratic Party, with 26 percent choosing the progressive firebrand.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 May 2025
Adjective
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Once best known for his satirical workplace humor, Adams became increasingly associated with provocative views, especially after embracing Trump during the 2016 election.—
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 May 2025
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As an odd sort of ethnography, though, the study tells a provocative story.—
Michael Pollan,
New Yorker,
19 May 2025
Noun
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Set in a crumbling Japanese metropolis rebuilt after a devastating explosion, Akira follows teenage rebels Kaneda and Tetsuo as secret government experiments unleash psychic forces capable of unmaking the world.—
Samantha Bergeson,
IndieWire,
21 May 2025
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Bombs go off to separate the authorities from the rebels.—
Dessi Gomez,
Deadline,
20 May 2025
Adjective
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Some providers may also recommend eliminating gluten and lactose to reduce the body's inflammatory response, which can adversely affect thyroid function.—
Danielle Weiss,
Verywell Health,
22 May 2025
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The changes were related to immunity, inflammatory responses and cardio-metabolic traits and most likely reflect adaptations to new diets, more crowded living conditions, diseases and domestic livestock.—
Kermit Pattison,
Scientific American,
20 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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A couple of weeks ago, the provocateur Laura Loomer got the White House to force the firing of some of his aides, which was a little like taking personnel advice from Lyndon LaRouche.—
The Editors,
National Review,
2 May 2025
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In a flash, the internet provocateur struck with a loaded punch, dropping Styles to the mat.—
Russ Weakland,
EW.com,
15 Apr. 2025
Noun
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But responsible bi-partisan crafting when Congress still functioned cannot resist demagogues.—
Edward Lotterman,
Twin Cities,
18 May 2025
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But critics regard him as a demagogue who relies on stoking divisions and demonizing his rivals.—
Time,
Time,
8 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Incendiary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/incendiary. Accessed 2 Jun. 2025.
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