French Conversation · Level 138
30 words
French word
attiser
Pronunciation
IPA/atize/
Meaning
- verbstoke
Example
Il veut attiser la colère des gens.
He wants to stoke people's anger.
More examples
La rumeur a attisé les tensions entre voisins.
The rumor stoked tensions between neighbors.
Core concept
A small breath makes a smoldering fire burn higher, like an action that makes an emotion or dispute grow stronger.
Common phrases
attiser la colère
stoke anger
attiser les tensions
stoke tensions
attiser la curiosité
stoke curiosity
Similar words
inciter: To prompt someone to do something.
provoquer: To trigger a reaction or start a dispute.
alimenter: To sustain and strengthen an emotion or discussion.
enflammer: To inflame feelings or an atmosphere dramatically.
Definition in French
Consiste à raviver un feu et, au sens figuré, à susciter ou amplifier une émotion ou un conflit.
Word origin
The verb attiser is inherited from Old French atisier and extends the physical idea of tending a fire to the figurative intensification of emotions and disputes.
Usage tips
- Attiser often suggests deliberate provocation or worsening, so attiser la colère is stronger and more negative than simply expressing anger.