fan the flames

VERB

exacerbate

Synonyms

STRONGEST

aggravate annoy heighten inflame intensify irritate provoke worsen

STRONG

embitter enrage envenom exasperate excite increase madden vex

WEAK

add insult to injury egg on feed the fire go from bad to worse heat up hit on push one's button rattle one's cage rub salt in a wound

Antonyms

STRONGEST

aid alleviate appease calm delight help improve make happy please soothe

STRONG

comfort compose pacify placate

VERB

foment

Synonyms

STRONGEST

abet arouse brew incite whip up

STRONG

agitate cultivate encourage excite foster goad nurse nurture promote quicken raise set spur start stimulate

WEAK

set on sow the seeds stir up

Antonyms

STRONGEST

deter discourage

STRONG

calm conclude condemn depress destroy dissuade end finish ignore lull neglect quiet repress stop tranquilize

WEAK

cease dampen

VERB

make worse

Synonyms

WEAK

add insult to injury aggravate exacerbate intensify irritate rub salt into the wound twist the knife in the wound worsen

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Others worry capping withdrawals will upset investors and fan the flames, so they paid out as much as 15%.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 27, 2026

“We can — we must — speak out loudly, urgently, but also peacefully. We cannot fan the flames of chaos. That’s what he wants,” he wrote.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 15, 2026

It also appears designed not to fan the flames before the weekend.

From BBC • Sep. 24, 2025

If such a tragedy were to occur, it would just escalate matters and fan the flames of militancy, expand the protest movement, and create more legitimacy problems for both the police and university administrators.

From Salon • May 14, 2024

He knew it would just fan the flames.

From "X: A Novel" by Ilyasah Shabazz

fan the flames

Example Sentences

Related Words