incite

verb

in·​cite in-ˈsīt How to pronounce incite (audio)
incited; inciting

transitive verb

: to move to action : stir up : spur on : urge on
incitant noun
incitement noun
inciter noun
Choose the Right Synonym for incite

incite, instigate, abet, foment mean to spur to action.

incite stresses a stirring up and urging on, and may or may not imply initiating.

inciting a riot

instigate definitely implies responsibility for initiating another's action and often connotes underhandedness or evil intention.

instigated a conspiracy

abet implies both assisting and encouraging.

aiding and abetting the enemy

foment implies persistence in goading.

fomenting rebellion

Examples of incite in a Sentence

The news incited widespread fear and paranoia. the rock band's failure to show up incited a riot, as the crowd had waited for hours
Recent Examples on the Web Across the Washington area, gusts as high as 40 to 45 mph prompted the issuance of a red flag warning this afternoon for weather that could incite fast-moving wildfires. Ian Livingston, Washington Post, 20 Mar. 2024 But the scrum Aldama partly incited seemed to kick Golden State into gear. Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 20 Mar. 2024 Police are separately investigating five senior members of the Korean Medical Association, which represents doctors in South Korea, for allegedly inciting and abetting the strikes. Hyung-Jin Kim, Quartz, 19 Mar. 2024 Schindler had originally gone to California to work for Frank Lloyd Wright, who first visited Tokyo in 1905, inciting a lifelong connection with Japanese design — one shared by Richard Neutra, as seen particularly in his pavilion-like Case Study Houses. Kurt Soller Anu Kumar, New York Times, 18 Mar. 2024 In January, West wore a shirt from the Norwegian metal band Burzum, whose founder Varg Vikernes was convicted of murder and inciting racial hatred. August Brown, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2024 The anger the Chicks incited erupted from a nasty part of American culture that needed to keep women in their place. Lyz Lenz, Rolling Stone, 16 Feb. 2024 The legislature has been back in session for just a week, and state spending has already incited intra-party squabbling among lawmakers — particularly over Medi-Cal expansion covering California’s undocumented immigrants. Jenavieve Hatch, Sacramento Bee, 6 Mar. 2024 The Foundation has entered its religious phase, promulgating the Church of Seldon throughout the Outer Reach and inciting the Second Crisis: war with Empire. James Hibberd, The Hollywood Reporter, 22 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'incite.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle French inciter, from Latin incitare, from in- + citare to put in motion — more at cite

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of incite was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near incite

Cite this Entry

“Incite.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/incite. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

incite

verb
in·​cite in-ˈsīt How to pronounce incite (audio)
incited; inciting
: to move to action : stir up
inciter noun

Medical Definition

incite

transitive verb
in·​cite in-ˈsīt How to pronounce incite (audio)
incited; inciting
: to bring into being : induce to exist or occur
organisms that readily incited antibody formation

Legal Definition

incite

transitive verb
in·​cite in-ˈsīt How to pronounce incite (audio)
incited; inciting
: to urge on
incite a riot
incitement noun

More from Merriam-Webster on incite

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