Hers was truly an artless, unsophisticated kiss, and yet it was well calculated to inflame a young man's heart.
Source: tatoeba (6212450)
Inflame
/ɪnˈfleɪm/
Synonyms for "inflame" (245 found)
Ranked by relevance and common usage.
Closest matches (49)
Strong matches (74)
enlivenenrageexacerbateexasperateexciteexcruciateexhilaratefanfan the firefan the flamefeedfeed the firefermentfesterfirefire upflameflushfomentfrenzy
Adjective(4 words)
Related words (122)
Adjective(1 words)
jazz upkey upkill by incheskindlelaceratelash uplather uplightlight the fuselight uplipsticklivenmaddenmaddermartyrmartyrizemiffminiatemotivatemove
Show 86 more words
nettlenipoverexcitepainpeevepep upperk uppiercepinchpiqueprickprodprolong the agonyprovokeput output to tortureput up toquickenrackrallyrankleraspred-inkreddenrekindlerelightrelumerileriseroilrougerouserubrubifyrubricruddlerufflerustset astirset fire toset onset on fireset upsic onsnap upspur onstabsteam upstimulatestingstirstir the bloodstir the embersstir the feelingsstir the firestir upstokestoke the firestrike a lightsummon uptickletorchtormenttorturetouch offtransportturn ontweaktwisturgevermilionvexvilevitalizewakewake upwakenwarmwarm the bloodwhetwhip upwork intowork upwoundwringzip up
Choosing the right synonym
- Closest matches in this entry: ignite, kindle, afflict, aflare, aggravate.
- Sentence evidence is available for inflame, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
- Ranking signals come from wordnet, opengloss, moby, derived_reverse, and related lexical sources.
Synonym selection checklist
- Match the part of speech before comparing meanings.
- Check whether the synonym changes intensity, formality, or emotional tone.
- Read the replacement inside the full sentence, not just beside "inflame".
- Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.
When not to replace "inflame"
Keep "inflame" when the sentence already sounds natural, when a synonym would add unintended emphasis, or when readers need the most familiar wording. A synonym should clarify or sharpen the message, not simply make the sentence look more varied.
If two options seem close, choose the one that best matches the audience and purpose of the sentence.
Replacement workflow
1. Preserve meaning
Choose a synonym only if it keeps the core idea of "inflame" intact in the sentence you are editing.
2. Tune tone
Check whether the replacement sounds more formal, casual, emotional, technical, or forceful than the original word.
3. Re-read context
Read the full sentence after the swap. Keep the synonym only when the sentence becomes clearer or more precise.
Review note: Synonym lists are ranked with lexical data and reviewed for practical writing value. Use the comparison notes, sentence evidence, and source labels together; a high-ranking synonym can still be wrong when the audience, register, or grammar changes.
Final fit check
After choosing a replacement for "inflame", read the sentence once for meaning and once for rhythm. The best synonym should feel natural in the full sentence, not only accurate in a word list.
If the synonym makes the sentence slower, vaguer, or more dramatic than intended, keep "inflame" or choose a simpler alternative from the closest-match group.
Related word relations
OpenGloss and ConceptNet supply richer edges like generalizations, collocations, and derivations.
More general
21 entriesShowing 16 of 21 words.
More specific
8 entriesCollocations
6 entriesinflame angerinflame controversyinflame hostilitiesinflame passionsinflame suspicioninflame tensions
Inflections
3 entriesDerivations
4 entriesSample sentences
17 total sentences available.
The sight of all these things would have kindled love even among the aged and greatly did it inflame this young couple, already warmed by desire and longing for some other remedy, to love beyond a kiss and an embrace.
Source: tatoeba (6213104)
The ozone damaging the lungs of these young adults is an invisible gas, made of three oxygen atoms. When it's inhaled, ozone can irritate and inflame the sensitive internal tissues of the respiratory system. Nolen adds that ozone is usually accompanied by particle pollution such as diesel engine exhaust, which can cause further problems like heart attacks and strokes.
Source: tatoeba (12249471)
We should have made retreat / By light of the inflamed fleet.
Source: wiktionary
Showing 4 of 17 available sentences.
Common questions
What are the closest synonyms for "inflame"?
Closest matches include ignite, kindle, afflict, aflare, aggravate.
How should I check whether a synonym fits "inflame"?
Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.