to fan
21
5.9
- verb
- /fæn/
- The events that the Iraq war set in motion will fan the flames of liberty for generations to come.
- fan the flames
Examples
-
So, I don't want to fan the flames.
-
To fan the pre-existing flames of racism and ethnic division.
-
You fan the flames of a civil war.
-
A blast of wind... to fan my hate!
-
There's a fire in my heart and you fan it -
-
When I opposed the war, I warned that it would fan the flames of extremism in the Middle East.
Blog text (12) -
If Dakotafire is going to spark a rural revival, we need you to fan the flames.
Blog text (18) -
Castro is also trying to fan the flames of Cuban nationalism in order to divert attention from Cuba's growing crisis.
Academic text (1990) -
Sadr, a radical young Shiite cleric, sought to fan and exploit anti-American, nationalist, and Islamist sentiments in a bid for power.
Academic text (2004) -
The politician tried to fan the flames of division during his speech, stirring up anger among the audience.
Synonyms
69
5.9
To cause strong feelings or excitement
35
4.6
To encourage strong feelings or interest
34
5.8
To make people's feelings stronger, especially anger or hate
11
7.2
To make an argument or feeling worse by encouraging it
2
6.4
To make feelings like anger or excitement stronger
Antonyms
Idioms
Phrasal Verbs
Compounds
- Informal
8
3.7
A person who loves something like a band or team a lot and shows strong support
2
1.0
A machine with turning blades that uses electricity to move air and cool a room or people
1
9.9
A Chinese gambling game where players bet on how many counters remain under a bowl after grouping them by four
- Specialized
1
7.5
A fan-shaped area of sand and stones that forms where a fast stream slows and spreads at a mountain base
- Specialized
1
6.4
An engine with a large fan that pushes extra air to make the plane go faster
- Australian
1
8.9
A large plant that grows in Australia and New Zealand with fan-shaped leaves that split many times
- Specialized
1
9.1
A stone ceiling with ribs that spread out like a fan in Gothic churches
- Specialized
A small tropical plant with fan-shaped leaves, thin stems, and loose fibers at the leaf bases
How Intense
Surface Forms
Etymology
Fan To fan a feeling uses the picture of fanning a fire: when you wave air at flames they grow. So, to fan anger or hatred is to 'make it stronger' or increase it.