incendiary

UK: /ɪnˈsɛndiəri/ US: /ɪnˈsɛndiˌɛri/ ,(in sen′dē er′ē)

Inflections of 'incendiary' (n): npl: incendiaries

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

in•cen•di•ar•y /ɪnˈsɛndiˌɛri/   adj., n., pl. -ar•ies. 
adj. [before a noun]

1. used for setting property on fire:
   incendiary bombs.
2. tending to arouse strife between groups;
   inflammatory:
   incendiary speeches.

n. [countable]

3. Military a device containing a substance that burns quickly with an intense heat:
   flung incendiaries at the soldiers.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

in•cen•di•ar•y  (in sen′dē er′ē), adj., n., pl. -ar•ies. 
adj. 

1. used or adapted for setting property on fire:
   incendiary bombs.
2. Law of or pertaining to the criminal setting on fire of property.
3. tending to arouse strife, sedition, etc.;
   inflammatory:
   incendiary speeches.
4. tending to inflame the senses:
   an incendiary extravaganza of music and dance.

n. 

5. Law a person who deliberately sets fire to buildings or other property, as an arsonist.
6. Military a shell, bomb, or grenade containing napalm, thermite, or some other substance that burns with an intense heat.
7. a person who stirs up strife, sedition, etc.;
   an agitator.

• Latin incendiārius, equivalent. to incendi(um) a fire (incend(ere) to kindle (in- in-² + -cendere, transitive verb, verbal from base of candēre to shine, be hot; see candent, candid, candor) + -ium -ium) + -ārius -ary
• 1600–10

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

incendiary / ɪnˈsɛndɪərɪ/ adjective

1. of or relating to the illegal burning of property, goods, etc
2. tending to create strife, violence, etc; inflammatory
3. (of a substance) capable of catching fire, causing fires, or burning readily

noun ( -aries)

1. a person who illegally sets fire to property, goods, etc; arsonist
2. (esp formerly) a person who stirs up civil strife, violence, etc, for political reasons; agitator
3. Also called: incendiary bomb a bomb that is designed to start fires
4. an incendiary substance, such as phosphorus

Etymology: 17th Century: from Latin incendiārius setting alight, from incendium fire, from incendere to kindle