INFLAMMATORY

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does inflammatory mean? 

• INFLAMMATORY (adjective)
  The adjective INFLAMMATORY has 2 senses:

1. characterized or caused by inflammation

2. arousing to action or rebellion

  Familiarity information: INFLAMMATORY used as an adjective is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• INFLAMMATORY (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Characterized or caused by inflammation

Context example:

an inflammatory response

Similar:

unhealthy (not in or exhibiting good health in body or mind)

Derivation:

inflame (become inflamed; get sore)

inflame (cause inflammation in)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Arousing to action or rebellion

Synonyms:

incendiary; incitive; inflammatory; instigative; rabble-rousing; seditious

Similar:

provocative (serving or tending to provoke, excite, or stimulate; stimulating discussion or exciting controversy)

Derivation:

inflame (arouse or excite feelings and passions)

 Context examples 

An acute inflammatory process affecting the larynx.

(Acute Laryngitis, NCI Thesaurus)

An acute inflammatory process that affects the nasopharynx.

(Acute Nasopharyngitis, NCI Thesaurus)

An acute inflammatory process that leads to necrosis of the pancreatic parenchyma.

(Acute Pancreatitis, NCI Thesaurus)

An acute inflammatory process that affects the tissues that surround and support the teeth.

(Acute Periodontitis, NCI Thesaurus)

An acute, autoimmune inflammatory process affecting the peripheral nervous system and nerve roots.

(Acute Infective Polyneuritis, NCI Thesaurus)

But will it hurt me? —is it inflammatory?

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

Cytokine IL-1β’s activity is regulated by a molecular complex called the inflammasome, which helps trigger the inflammatory process in immune cells.

(Opioid Pain Relievers May Prolong Pain, NIH)

Acitretin activates nuclear retinoic acid receptors (RAR), resulting in induction of cell differentiation, inhibition of cell proliferation, and inhibition of tissue infiltration by inflammatory cells.

(Acitretin, NCI Thesaurus)

A chronic inflammatory disorder characterized by hyperostosis, osteitis, synovitis and palmoplantar pustulosis.

(Acquired Hyperostosis Syndrome, NCI Thesaurus)

Inflammatory cells are composed of primarily neutrophils or eosinophils typically associated with little other damage to the intestinal tract

(Acute Enteritis of the Mouse Intestinal Tract, NCI Thesaurus/MMHCC)