verb

inflame

to inflame, to aggravate, to anger, to provoke

The cut on his leg became inflamed.

The cut on his leg became inflamed.

His speech inflamed the angry crowd.

His speech inflamed the angry crowd.

((sth.)) to make (sth.) red, swollen, and painful The infection inflamed his throat.

((sb./sth.)) to provoke or worsen (a feeling or situation) His speech inflamed the angry crowd.

Synonyms: provoke, aggravate, anger; Antonyms: soothe, calm, pacify

From Latin 'in-' (into) + 'flammare' (to set on fire), from 'flamma' (flame). Literally 'to set on fire'.

Think 'in flame'. It means to put something into a state of fire, either literally (redness, heat) or figuratively (anger, passion).

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