inflamer

8.9

A person who says things that make people angry or start fights

noun
/ɪnˈfleɪmɚ/

: instigador

He was labeled an inflamer after his comments sparked animosity at the meeting.

Examples

Social media can give every inflamer a platform to spread discord to a wide audience.
Rather than seeking compromise, she acted as an inflamer in the negotiations.
The inflamer of public opinion often faces backlash.
He is known as an inflamer in the political arena.
His reckless comments made him an inflamer of the crowd during the rally.
In every discussion, her sharp remarks turned her into an inflamer rather than a peacemaker.
The news outlet labeled him an inflamer for stirring up controversy with his provocative articles.

Synonyms

troublemaker

vsinflamer

Offensive

69 4.1

A person who causes problems for other people on purpose

is more about creating controversy than everyday personal mischief

devil's advocate

vsinflamer

20 6.3

A person who says an opposite or unpopular opinion to start a discussion

aims more to stir conflict or controversy rather than testing ideas

agitator

vsinflamer

16 6.5

A person who stirs up strong public feelings for political change

is broader and applies to any conflict or controversy not only political causes

provocateur

vsinflamer

14 8.8

A person who on purpose causes trouble or makes others do wrong

is about raising controversy broadly rather than tricking others into wrongdoing

instigator

vsinflamer

12 6.8

A person who starts trouble or urges others to act

often aims to stir public controversy rather than only starting actions

firebrand

vsinflamer

Formal

10 7.9

A person who tries to make others protest or cause trouble

is similar but can also mean causing controversy without mass protest

rabble-rouser

vsinflamer

Literature

6 8.5

A person who makes a crowd angry or excited about politics

may be less public and also fits stirring debate among smaller groups

controversial figure

vsinflamer

6 4.6

A person who causes strong arguments among many people

is usually someone who acts to start conflict rather than only causing debate

baiter

vsinflamer

Slang

4 8.1

A person who tries to annoy others online or in conversation

is about starting broader conflict or public debate rather than mere annoyance

mischief-maker

vsinflamer

2 6.0

A person who causes small trouble by playing tricks or starting gossip

is more serious and focuses on provoking real conflict or controversy

flamer

vsinflamer

Offensive

1 8.9

A person who posts angry, insulting messages online

is wider and not limited to online messages and can cause public controversy

provoker

vsinflamer

1 7.5

A person who starts trouble on purpose to make others react

is broader and can mean stirring controversy without forcing people to act

stirrer

vsinflamer

Offensive

1 7.3

A person who spreads gossip to start arguments

focuses more generally on starting public controversy rather than rumor spreading

fire-eater

vsinflamer

Offensive

1 8.8

A person who speaks angrily and likes to start political arguments

is broader and also includes deliberate attempts to cause public disagreement

polarizer

vsinflamer

Literature

1 8.4

A person or thing that makes people split into opposing groups

focuses on provoking conflict or debate rather than only dividing opinion

controversialist

vsinflamer

1 9.9

A person who often argues about public or political issues

is more active in starting conflict rather than mainly arguing contentious points

instigant

vsinflamer

9.9

A person who on purpose makes others start trouble or fight

is similar but focuses on making others take action to cause conflict

fomenter

vsinflamer

Formal

9.8

A person who causes political trouble by encouraging others to act against the government

is general and also covers nonpolitical controversy and everyday disputes

fanner

vsinflamer

7.4

A person who causes anger or arguments between people

is similar but specifically centers on encouraging strong feelings and activity

troubler

vsinflamer

7.4

A person who causes problems by starting arguments or fights

often implies provoking public debate rather than only causing local disturbance

fire-breather

vsinflamer

Offensive

8.0

A person who says things that make people angry or afraid

may be less extreme and also cover milder debate stirring

drama monger

vsinflamer

Offensive

8.9

A person who makes small problems into big arguments

is broader and often includes public controversy beyond personal drama

polemist

vsinflamer

Formal

9.9

A person who argues strongly in writing about religion or ideas

is less about formal debate and more about provoking public conflict or unrest

Antonyms

peacemaker

23 3.7

A person who helps end arguments and makes people agree

How Provocative

firebrand

Formal

10 7.9

inflamer

8.9

provoker

1 7.5

critic

563 3.0

Surface Forms

inflamer singular

inflamers plural

Morphology

inflamer = inflame (transparent) = inflame + er

A straightforward agent noun formed by adding the productive suffix '-er' to the verb 'inflame', yielding 'one who inflames or provokes'.

Etymology

Inflamer comes from the verb inflame, which joins in- meaning 'in' and flamma meaning 'flame', as in the English word flame. So an inflamer is someone who 'sets fire' to feelings or arguments, which is why it means a person who provokes conflict.