incite

1 to bring (something volatile or intense) into being <the rock band's failure to show up incited a riot, as the crowd had waited for hours> Synonyms abet, brew, ferment, foment, instigate, pick, provoke, raise, stir (up), whip (up) Related Words advance, cultivate, encourage, forward, foster, further, nourish, nurture, promote, sow, stimulate; detonate, set, set off, trigger; excite, galvanize, inflame (also enflame), inspire, motivate, rouse; activate, energize, enliven, fire, invigorate, jazz (up), liven (up), pep (up), quicken, stimulate, vitalize Phrases set in motion Near Antonyms bridle, check, constrain, curb, discourage, hold, inhibit, regulate, rein (in), restrain, tame; allay, calm, quiet, settle, soothe, still, subdue, tranquilize (also tranquillize)

2 to rouse to strong feeling or action <the demagogue's fiery rant incited the crowd to riot> Synonyms arouse, encourage, excite, fire (up), impassion, provoke, instigate, move, pique, rev (up), spark, stimulate, stirRelated Words fan, ignite, inflame (also enflame), kindle, trigger; activate, animate, drive, energize, galvanize, induce, inspire, key (up), motivate, motive, pump up, quicken, set off, vitalize; abet, ferment, foment, raise, whip (up); anger, enrage, madden, upset; jeer, taunt, tease; aggravate, annoy, bother, exasperate, gall, get, irritate, vexNear Antonyms calm, soothe, subdue, tranquilize (also tranquillize); appease, mollify, pacify, placate