incite

verb

in·​cite in-ˈsīt 

incited; inciting

transitive verb

1

: to move (someone) to action : urge on

incited the crowd to violence

2

: to cause (a usually violent action or feeling) to occur

arrested for inciting a riot

incitant

in-ˈsī-tᵊnt 

noun

incitement

in-ˈsīt-mənt 

noun

inciter noun

Synonyms of incite

• provoke

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

That's placed there by terrorist groups, foreign intelligence services and others, specifically for the purposes of inspiring and inciting violence. —ABC News, 26 Apr. 2026

Uranus moving into Gemini incites restlessness with conventional routine. —Usa Today, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2026

Kenny said the ongoing beef stemmed from a prior assault in January, in which the man who incited Thursday’s beatdown jumped Pierre. —Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 25 Apr. 2026

Critics say the former demands the elimination of the Israeli state – from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea – and incites violence against Jewish people. —Cnn.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 25 Apr. 2026

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 at sense 1

Rhymes for incite

• affright
• airtight
• albite
• alight
• alright
• aplite
• aright
• bainite
• birthright
• bobwhite
• bornite
• bullfight

Kids Definition

incite

verb

in·​cite in-ˈsīt 

incited; inciting

: to move to action : stir up

inciter noun

Medical Definition

incite

transitive verb

in·​cite in-ˈsīt 

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 

incited; inciting

: to urge on

incite a riot

incitement noun