Incendiary
Word of the Day
What is Incendiary?
adjective
Designed to cause fires; tending to stir up conflict or provoke emotion.
Pronunciation
Why This Word?
Chosen for its dual nature: a word of fire and fury, equally at home in war and in protest, on battlefields or in poetry.
Examples of Use
Here's how this word appears in everyday language:
His incendiary remarks fueled the already tense debate.
The rebels planted incendiary devices in the convoy route.
Her art was incendiary — beautiful, but impossible to ignore.
Word Origins
Latin incendium meaning “conflagration”
Derived from incendere, “to set on fire”; evolved from military to metaphorical use.
First appearance in English: 17th century
Word Family
Related forms of this word:
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Noun:
The protester was arrested for carrying an incendiary.
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Verb:
Her words ignited a movement.
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Adjective:
The exhibit was bold and provocative.
Around the World
How this word appears in other languages:
- Spanish: incendiario
- French: incendiaire
- German: brandstiftend
- Italian: incendiario
- Portuguese: incendiário
If you Already Know This Word
If you've mastered this word, try these more advanced alternatives:
Provocative
“Provocative” invites reaction; “incendiary” implies explosive, often dangerous results.
Explosive
“Explosive” is often literal or emotional; “incendiary” combines danger with intent.
Radical
“Radical” suggests deep change; “incendiary” adds conflict and fire to the equation.
Fun Facts
- “Incendiary rhetoric” is a legal term in some countries, used to classify hate speech or calls to violence.
- Some artists and activists embrace “incendiary” as a compliment — signaling disruptive truth.
Cultural Usage
- Incendiary headlines can mislead or manipulate public sentiment.
- During WWII, entire cities were devastated by incendiary bombs.
Common Mistakes
Often confused with “provocative”; “incendiary” implies danger and explosive reaction, not just interest.
Micro Story
The journalist’s incendiary article exposed corruption and sparked nationwide protests.