INCUBATE Synonyms: 79 Similar and Opposite Words

incubate

verb

ˈiŋ-kyə-ˌbāt

Definition of incubate

as in to spawn

to cover and warm eggs as the young inside develop the hen incubated her eggs for two weeks

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in to promote

to help the growth or development of hopefully, these youthful visits to the museum will incubate an enduring love of art

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of incubate Solowin Holdings signed a memorandum in April with SC Ventures, Standard Chartered's venture arm, to incubate an AI payments project called AGENPAY. — Boaz Sobrado, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026 The other Mackerel and Thistle egg did not incubate, which the zoo reported is not uncommon. — Jim Higgins, jsonline.com, 19 Aug. 2026 Google’s self-driving car project graduated from X to become Waymo, and Google Glass was likewise incubated there. — IEEE Spectrum, 17 Aug. 2026 So maybe, counterintuitively, this is the perfect moment for the BBC to launch a new reality show that aims to incubate the next great art-dealing duo. — Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 11 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for incubate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for incubate

Verb

That garden spawned an annual salsa competition, in which club employees harvest their own ingredients from the planters, make salsa at home, and bring it back to be judged.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 21 Sep. 2026
The series started out as a 1996 horror video game that has spawned several sequels, spinoffs and remakes, in addition to adaptation across film and TV.

— Jordan Moreau, Variety, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of spawn

Verb

Through rules that promote cross-border data flows, regional commerce, and harmonized cybersecurity standards, DEFA will help ASEAN embrace the modern-day digital economy.

— Jon M. Huntsman, Fortune, 24 Sep. 2026
If dozens of countries are promoting electric vehicle incentives, charging infrastructure and electrification in general, that can help in the fight against climate change, Jackson added.

— Jennifer McDermott, Los Angeles Times, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of promote

Verb

But Wendy Goodman, New York Magazine’s design editor who has been a balletgoer since childhood, pays to sit at the front of the theater.

— Fiorella Valdesolo, Curbed, 22 Sep. 2026
At the top end of the range sits the Artycapucines line, an annual edition of limited-edition bags customized by prominent artists.

— Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of sit

Verb

While the rest of the table is encouraging growth and forgiveness, Meredith is refusing to budge, completely stonewalling this apology and completely willing to die on this hill.

— Tom Smyth, Vulture, 24 Sep. 2026
The dairy farmer agreed with a comment from Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins encouraging Americans to seek out other forms of protein, including turkey, amid a rise in the cost of beef.

— Hailey Bullis, The Washington Examiner, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of encourage

Verb

At least some of the time, Hawthorne really was warming the little speckled eggs from which his masterworks would hatch.

— Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 22 Sep. 2026
While the folklore may be fun to talk about, the width of their bands are determined by hatching conditions, genetics and behavior of a brood, among other things, experts say.

— Sarah Moore, Freep.com, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of hatch

Verb

Don’t throttle the goose who lays the golden eggs, don’t blast from the skies the albatross who guarantees fair winds.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 22 Sep. 2026
Minutes later, a second explosive-laden Shahed drone hit, laying waste to the main hub of his publishing house, Ranok, in northeastern Kharkiv.

— ABC News, ABC News, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of lay

Verb

For a few years, Lizzie and Nance nurtured a closeness that was suspicious to Fall River society and to Emma especially.

— Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2026
The minimal information on my sample contacts somewhat limited my ability to test this feature, but Breeze Assistant still impressed me with excellent suggestions for nurturing leads.

— Dianna Gunn, PC Magazine, 18 Sep. 2026