inflammatory
gb/ɪnflˈæmətˌɔɹi/ us/ɪnflˈæmətˌɔɹi/
C1
English
Senses
0 senses
adjective
C1
property
1
likely to provoke anger
making people angry or causing arguments
Usage pattern:
[inflammatory] remarks/language/rhetoric/article/post
Common mistake:
Do not confuse with flammable (easy to catch fire) or inflamed (already swollen or sore).
Synonyms
provocative (often suggests deliberately trying to get a strong reaction.)
|
incendiary (stronger; implies stirring up serious anger or violence.)
|
inflammatory (neutral synonym is not applicable; original term.)
Antonyms
calming (intended to reduce anger or tension.)
|
conciliatory (aimed at making peace or agreement.)
Collocations
inflammatory remarks
|inflammatory comments
|inflammatory language
|inflammatory rhetoric
|inflammatory statement
|inflammatory post
|inflammatory tweet
|inflammatory article
|inflammatory accusations
|inflammatory debate
Themes
communication
|politics
|media
|conflict
Examples
- The minister apologized for his inflammatory remarks about the protesters.
- Editors removed inflammatory language to keep the article from escalating tensions.
- Her inflammatory posts quickly turned the discussion into an argument.
Learner examples
- He made an inflammatory comment online.
- The headline was inflammatory and upset many readers.
adjective
technical
C1
property
2
relating to bodily inflammation
connected to swelling, redness, and pain in the body
Usage pattern:
[inflammatory] condition/disease/process/response/cells
Common mistake:
Learners may use inflamed when they mean inflammatory: inflamed describes tissue that is already swollen; inflammatory describes the process, condition, or cause.
Synonyms
inflamed (not exact; describes tissue that is already swollen or irritated.)
Antonyms
anti-inflammatory (reducing or preventing inflammation.)
Collocations
inflammatory condition
|inflammatory disease
|inflammatory disorder
|inflammatory response
|inflammatory process
|inflammatory reaction
|inflammatory arthritis
|inflammatory cells
|inflammatory markers
|inflammatory lesions
Themes
health
|medicine
|biology
Examples
- Blood tests showed elevated inflammatory markers.
- The doctor explained that it was an inflammatory condition affecting the joints.
- Certain foods can trigger an inflammatory response in sensitive people.
Learner examples
- The medicine helps with inflammatory pain.
Grammar
Dictionary form
inflammatory
IPA
GB/ɪnflˈæmətˌɔɹi/
US/ɪnflˈæmətˌɔɹi/
Syllables & stress
in - flam - mat - ory (4 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (flam)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: inflammatory
Word family
Core family
inflammation
noun B2
inflame
verb
Negative and opposite forms
anti-inflammatory
adjective
non-inflammatory
adjective
Advanced or less common
pro-inflammatory
adjective
Expressions
inflammatory bowel disease
1/ɪnflˈæmətˌɔɹi bˈaʊəl dɪzˈiz/
fixed phrase
technical
chronic gut inflammation illnesses
a long-term illness that causes swelling in the intestines
Examples
- She was diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease in her twenties.
- The specialist discussed treatment options for inflammatory bowel disease.
- Symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease can include pain, diarrhea, and fatigue.
inflammatory response
1/ɪnflˈæmətˌɔɹi ɹɪspˈɑns/
fixed phrase
technical
body’s swelling reaction
the body’s reaction that causes swelling and pain
Examples
- The vaccine stimulates an inflammatory response that helps the immune system learn.
- In some cases, the inflammatory response is stronger than necessary and damages tissue.
- Doctors monitored her inflammatory response after surgery.
inflammatory rhetoric
1/ɪnflˈæmətˌɔɹi ɹˈɛtɚɪk/
fixed phrase
language that stirs anger
Strong, angry words that can make people very upset or may push them toward violence.
Examples
- The leader’s inflammatory rhetoric has increased tensions in the region.
- Social media is full of inflammatory rhetoric from both sides.
- Journalists blamed the attack partly on inflammatory rhetoric by extremists.
inflammatory rhetoric
1/ɪnflˈæmətˌɔɹi ɹˈɛtɚɪk/
fixed phrase
provocative political speech
angry words that can cause conflict
Examples
- Leaders urged the candidate to stop using inflammatory rhetoric about immigrants.
- The report warned that inflammatory rhetoric on social media was increasing tensions.
- Police called for calm after a night of inflammatory rhetoric at the rally.