Incendiary Definition
ĭn-sĕndē-ĕrē
incendiaries
adjective
Having to do with the willful destruction of property by fire.
Webster's New World
Causing or designed to cause fires, as certain substances, bombs, etc.
Webster's New World
Of or containing chemicals that produce intensely hot fire when exploded.
An incendiary bomb.
American Heritage
Intentionally started or set.
An incendiary fire.
American Heritage
Willfully stirring up strife, riot, rebellion, etc.
Webster's New World
Synonyms:
- incitive
- agitational
- seditious
- rabble-rousing
- instigative
- inflammatory
- agitative
Antonyms:
noun
incendiaries
A person who willfully destroys property by fire.
Webster's New World
An incendiary bomb, substance, etc.
Webster's New World
A person who willfully stirs up strife, riot, rebellion, etc.
Webster's New World
One who creates or stirs up conflict; an agitator.
American Heritage
An arsonist.
Webster's New World Law
Synonyms:
- insurgent
- provocateur (French)
- instigator
- petroleur (French)
- pyromaniac
- firebug
- arsonist
- firebomb
- incendiary bomb
- inflammatory
- subversive
- rebel
- agitator
Other Word Forms of Incendiary
Noun
Singular:
incendiary
Plural:
incendiariesOrigin of Incendiary
-
From Old French incendiaire, from Latin incendiārius (“setting alight”), from incendium (“destructive fire”), from incendō (“I set on fire, kindle”), from in- (“into, in, on, upon”) + candeō (“I am hot”).
From Wiktionary
-
Middle English from Latin incendiārius from incendium fire from incendere to set on fire incense1
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
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