Definition of INCENDIARY

incendiary

Meanings

Plural: incendiaries

Noun

  • a criminal who illegally sets fire to property
  • a bomb that is designed to start fires; is most effective against flammable targets (such as fuel)
  • Something capable of causing fire, particularly a weapon.
  • One who maliciously sets fires.
  • One who excites or inflames factions into quarrels.

Adjective

  • involving deliberate burning of property
    • "an incendiary fire"

Adjective Satellite

  • arousing to action or rebellion
  • capable of catching fire spontaneously or causing fires or burning readily
    • "an incendiary agent"
    • "incendiary bombs"

Adj

  • Capable of, or used for, or actually causing fire.
  • Of a damaging fire, intentionally caused rather than accidental.
  • Intentionally stirring up strife, riot, rebellion.
  • Inflammatory, emotionally charged.

Origin / Etymology

From Middle English incendiarie, 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”).

Synonyms

agitator, arsonist, firebomb, firebug, incendiary bomb, incitive, inflammatory, instigative, rabble-rousing, seditious

Scrabble Score: 16

incendiary is a valid Scrabble (US) TWL word
incendiary is a valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
incendiary is a valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 18

incendiary is a valid Words With Friends word