Also means
to stoke
Usage Note
Attiser originally meant to poke or stoke a fire, from Old French tison (firebrand). Figuratively it means to inflame or stir up passions, conflicts, or desires — attiser la haine (to stoke hatred), attiser la curiosité (to spark curiosity). This figurative use is far more common in modern French than the literal fire-stoking sense.
Examples
"Ces rumeurs n'ont fait qu'attiser les tensions."
Natural Translation
These rumours only stoked the tensions.
Related Words
Explore French by topic
FrenchNow
6 min read