in·cense
ˈin-ˌsen(t)s 
1
: material used to produce a fragrant odor when burned
2
: the perfume exhaled from some spices and gums when burned
broadly
: a pleasing scent
3
: pleasing attention : flattery
in·cense
ˈin-ˌsen(t)s
incensed; incensing
in·cense
in-ˈsen(t)s
incensed; incensing
1
: to arouse the extreme anger or indignation of
2
archaic
: to cause (a passion or emotion) to become aroused
Synonyms
Examples of incense in a Sentence
Noun
the heavenly incense of spring flowers
count on the office manager to spread the incense whenever there's a visiting VIP from the head office
Recent Examples on the Web
Christopher Goffard, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2024
These fraternities carry religious statues through clouds of billowing incense against a soundtrack of solemn music.
—Claire Boobbyer, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Apr. 2024
The Treasure Chest sold incense, black light posters and other trippy knick-knacks — like Dadeland Mall’s The Barefoot Mailman.
—Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 22 Mar. 2024
However, just like the elevated incense and holiday body butter, the Elevate fragrance is an exclusive which means it is limited to only 300 bottles before selling out.
—India Espy-Jones, Essence, 15 Mar. 2024
Its yummy floral scent is a signature blend from Parfums de Marly, infused with unique notes like Turkish rose, incense, and vetiver.
—Andrea Navarro, Glamour, 13 Mar. 2024
Wong and others in the 17-person group bow three times, holding the burning incense in memory of the Chinese immigrants buried here.
—Michael Laris, Washington Post, 25 Mar. 2024
There was a shop called The Treasure Chest that sold incense, black light posters and other trippy knick-knacks — not unlike like Dadeland Mall’s The Barefoot Mailman.
—Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 22 Mar. 2024
From spraying it on fabrics to using it as your room’s aerosol, the fragrance is multi-use and comes as an incense as well.
—India Espy-Jones, Essence, 15 Mar. 2024
Lydia Depillis, New York Times, 15 Apr. 2024
He has been incensed that his money — and tens of millions of dollars from donors — has gone to legal costs.
—Jeffrey Fleishman, Los Angeles Times, 15 Apr. 2024
Farmers in France have also been incensed by other domestic regulations, including a plan to reduce subsidies on agricultural diesel, which was later retracted.
—Breanne Deppisch, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 31 Jan. 2024
Students in the hallway become incensed, getting in Roth’s face and yelling.
—Noah Goldberg, Los Angeles Times, 26 Feb. 2024
Ivorian players and fans were incensed that referee Pierre Atcho failed to award a penalty after Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy brought down former Arsenal winger Pepe in the box.
—Matias Grez, CNN, 30 Jan. 2024
In the days before the funeral, as its details leaked out, these critics—many of whom were military veterans—became increasingly incensed.
—Elliot Ackerman, WIRED, 9 Feb. 2024
Vichy officials were incensed at the presence of Jews in the royal court.
—Theo Zenou, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 Mar. 2024
Ivar Cole was once again incensed that Valhalla wasn’t wearing antlers.
—Alfred Konuwa, Forbes, 12 Feb. 2024
Noun
Lockshin is burning incense in his living room, on a hill with a view of downtown Los Angeles.
—Christopher Goffard, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2024
These fraternities carry religious statues through clouds of billowing incense against a soundtrack of solemn music.
—Claire Boobbyer, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Apr. 2024
The Treasure Chest sold incense, black light posters and other trippy knick-knacks — like Dadeland Mall’s The Barefoot Mailman.
—Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 22 Mar. 2024
However, just like the elevated incense and holiday body butter, the Elevate fragrance is an exclusive which means it is limited to only 300 bottles before selling out.
—India Espy-Jones, Essence, 15 Mar. 2024
Its yummy floral scent is a signature blend from Parfums de Marly, infused with unique notes like Turkish rose, incense, and vetiver.
—Andrea Navarro, Glamour, 13 Mar. 2024
Wong and others in the 17-person group bow three times, holding the burning incense in memory of the Chinese immigrants buried here.
—Michael Laris, Washington Post, 25 Mar. 2024
There was a shop called The Treasure Chest that sold incense, black light posters and other trippy knick-knacks — not unlike like Dadeland Mall’s The Barefoot Mailman.
—Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 22 Mar. 2024
From spraying it on fabrics to using it as your room’s aerosol, the fragrance is multi-use and comes as an incense as well.
—India Espy-Jones, Essence, 15 Mar. 2024
Verb
Sam Sanchez, a Chicago restaurateur, was incensed when President Biden announced last September that his administration would extend work eligibility to nearly half a million Venezuelans, many of them migrants who had recently crossed the border illegally.
—Lydia Depillis, New York Times, 15 Apr. 2024
He has been incensed that his money — and tens of millions of dollars from donors — has gone to legal costs.
—Jeffrey Fleishman, Los Angeles Times, 15 Apr. 2024
Farmers in France have also been incensed by other domestic regulations, including a plan to reduce subsidies on agricultural diesel, which was later retracted.
—Breanne Deppisch, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 31 Jan. 2024
Students in the hallway become incensed, getting in Roth’s face and yelling.
—Noah Goldberg, Los Angeles Times, 26 Feb. 2024
Ivorian players and fans were incensed that referee Pierre Atcho failed to award a penalty after Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy brought down former Arsenal winger Pepe in the box.
—Matias Grez, CNN, 30 Jan. 2024
In the days before the funeral, as its details leaked out, these critics—many of whom were military veterans—became increasingly incensed.
—Elliot Ackerman, WIRED, 9 Feb. 2024
Vichy officials were incensed at the presence of Jews in the royal court.
—Theo Zenou, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 Mar. 2024
Ivar Cole was once again incensed that Valhalla wasn’t wearing antlers.
—Alfred Konuwa, Forbes, 12 Feb. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'incense.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near incense
Cite this Entry
“Incense.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/incense. Accessed 26 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
incense
1 of 2 noun
in·cense
ˈin-ˌsen(t)s
1
a
: material used to produce a fragrant odor when burned
b
: the odor so produced
2
: a pleasing scent
incense
2 of 2 verb
in·cense
in-ˈsen(t)s
incensed; incensing
: to make very angry
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