in·cen·di·ary
in-ˈsen-dē-ˌer-ē 
-ˈsen-də-rē
-ˈsen-də-rē
-dyə-
1
a
: igniting combustible materials spontaneously
b
: of, relating to, or being a weapon (such as a bomb) designed to start fires
2
: tending to excite or inflame : inflammatory
incendiary speeches
4
: extremely hot
incendiary chili peppers
plural incendiaries
Synonyms
Examples of incendiary in a Sentence
Adjective
While visual effects experts work with images, mechanical effects experts work with machinery, tools, incendiary devices, and other equipment to manipulate physical events during live-action filming.
—
Patricia D. Netzley, Encyclopedia of Movie Special Effects, 2000
In the mid-Eighties, heavy-metal music was the incendiary genre being demonized …
—Alan Light, Rolling Stone, 18 Feb. 1993
The only caveat … is to know one's own sensitivity to chili pepper heat. If a small or moderate dose of capsicum (the incendiary chemical component in chilies) makes you dash for a glass of ice water, this menu is not going to be fun for you.
—Harvey Steiman, Wine Spectator, 15 Mar. 1991
The fire was started by an incendiary bomb.
recklessly made incendiary remarks during a period of heightened racial tensions
Noun
He was convinced that the arsonist was not at all what the town imagined: not brazen, but callow; not an expert incendiary noiselessly plying deer paths, but someone who was driving right up to his targets and fumbling with matches …
—Barry Werth, New England Monthly, February 1989
White phosphorus, an incendiary, is normally packed in thin-walled casings; the casing is effective for dispersing chemical agents as well.
—Stephen Budiansky, Nature, 5–11 Apr. 1984
The British had also made jellied gasoline with rubber, and it was generally recognized to be an excellent incendiary because of its easy ignition, high heat of combustion, and controlled burning rate.
—B. & F. M. Brodie, From Crossbow to H-Bomb, 1973
firefighters caught the incendiary, who was watching the effects of his handiwork
blamed the protests on outside incendiaries who were intent on overthrowing the government
Patricia D. Netzley, Encyclopedia of Movie Special Effects, 2000
In the mid-Eighties, heavy-metal music was the incendiary genre being demonized …
—Alan Light, Rolling Stone, 18 Feb. 1993
The only caveat … is to know one's own sensitivity to chili pepper heat. If a small or moderate dose of capsicum (the incendiary chemical component in chilies) makes you dash for a glass of ice water, this menu is not going to be fun for you.
—Harvey Steiman, Wine Spectator, 15 Mar. 1991
The fire was started by an incendiary bomb.
recklessly made incendiary remarks during a period of heightened racial tensions
Noun
He was convinced that the arsonist was not at all what the town imagined: not brazen, but callow; not an expert incendiary noiselessly plying deer paths, but someone who was driving right up to his targets and fumbling with matches …
—Barry Werth, New England Monthly, February 1989
White phosphorus, an incendiary, is normally packed in thin-walled casings; the casing is effective for dispersing chemical agents as well.
—Stephen Budiansky, Nature, 5–11 Apr. 1984
The British had also made jellied gasoline with rubber, and it was generally recognized to be an excellent incendiary because of its easy ignition, high heat of combustion, and controlled burning rate.
—B. & F. M. Brodie, From Crossbow to H-Bomb, 1973
firefighters caught the incendiary, who was watching the effects of his handiwork
blamed the protests on outside incendiaries who were intent on overthrowing the government
Recent Examples on the WebPeter Baker, New York Times, 31 May 2024
These kids, hiding behind their masks and making incendiary statements, need to find out what the real world is all about.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 10 May 2024
Aegis Staff Report, Baltimore Sun, 23 Jan. 2024
Russia has been accused of using cluster munitions itself, as well as other taboo weapons like white phosphorus munitions, an incendiary that can cause severe harm to civilians.
—Adam Taylor, Washington Post, 7 Sep. 2023
See all Example Sentences for incendiary 
Adjective
While many of his predecessors have played a pastoral role at other moments when the justice system was tested during incendiary cases — think Rodney King, Michael Brown or George Floyd — Mr. Biden concluded that speaking out would make things worse, not better.
—Peter Baker, New York Times, 31 May 2024
These kids, hiding behind their masks and making incendiary statements, need to find out what the real world is all about.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 10 May 2024
Noun
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
Russia has been accused of using cluster munitions itself, as well as other taboo weapons like white phosphorus munitions, an incendiary that can cause severe harm to civilians.
—Adam Taylor, Washington Post, 7 Sep. 2023
See all Example Sentences for incendiary
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'incendiary.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near incendiary
Cite this Entry
“Incendiary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/incendiary. Accessed 6 Jun. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
incendiary
1 of 2 noun
in·cen·di·ary
in-ˈsen-dē-ˌer-ē
plural incendiaries
incendiary
2 of 2 adjective1
: of, relating to, or involving arson
2
: tending to excite quarrels : inflammatory
an incendiary speech
3
: containing chemicals that burst into flame on contact
an incendiary bomb
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share