Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Designed to cause fires: Describes a substance, device, or weapon that is capable of starting fires or burning readily.
   • Provoking conflict or unrest: Describes speech, writing, or actions that are intended to arouse strong anger, violence, or rebellion.

2. Noun:

   • A fire-starting bomb: A bomb designed to cause destruction by starting fires, especially effective against flammable targets.
   • A person who commits arson: A criminal who deliberately and illegally sets fire to property.
   • A person who provokes unrest: Someone who stirs up trouble, conflict, or rebellion.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:

  • The warehouse was destroyed by an incendiary device. (Designed to cause fires)
  • The politician was accused of making incendiary remarks that divided the community. (Provoking conflict)

• Noun:

  • The air raid dropped high explosives followed by incendiaries. (A fire-starting bomb)
  • The police arrested the incendiary responsible for the factory fire. (A person who commits arson)
  • He was seen as a dangerous incendiary who radicalized young followers. (A person who provokes unrest)

Advanced Usage

• Figurative Use: The adjective is often used figuratively to describe language or ideas that are explosively controversial or emotionally charged.
  • The journalist's incendiary article sparked a national debate.

Variants and Related Words

• Incendiarism (n): The act of maliciously setting fires; arson.
• Incendivity (n): The quality of being incendiary, especially the capacity to catch fire.

Synonyms

• Adjective (causing fire): Combustible, flammable, inflammatory.
• Adjective (provoking unrest): Provocative, inflammatory, seditious, rabble-rousing.
• Noun (bomb): Firebomb.
• Noun (person): Arsonist, firebug (informal), agitator, instigator.

Related Phrases

• Incendiary language/rhetoric: Speech or writing deliberately intended to provoke strong public anger or violence.
  • The leader's incendiary rhetoric was condemned by international observers.
• Incendiary device: A general term for any weapon or object made to start fires.
  • The package was found to contain a simple incendiary device.

Adjective

1. capable of catching fire spontaneously or causing fires or burning readily
   • an incendiary agent
   • incendiary bombs
2. arousing to action or rebellion
3. involving deliberate burning of property
   • an incendiary fire

Noun

1. a bomb that is designed to start fires; is most effective against flammable targets (such as fuel)
2. a criminal who illegally sets fire to property