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 Musk has since been accused of inciting violence against immigrants as the country responds to its biggest outbreak of riots in decades. Ryan Hogg, Fortune Europe, 28 Nov. 2023 Immediately change the balance of consequences for mutiny, inciting mutiny, talking behind people backs and the like. George Bradt, Forbes, 28 Nov. 2023 As the terrorism expert Daniel Byman wrote in Foreign Affairs, Israel needs to avoid inciting anger in the West Bank, preventing settlers from attacking Palestinians and punishing those who do. Audrey Kurth Cronin, Foreign Affairs, 22 Nov. 2023 There were members of the Ku Klux Klan holding statewide elective office and using the rhetoric of white supremacy to incite violence and suppress Black voter turnout. Courtland Milloy, Washington Post, 31 Oct. 2023 Just keep in mind that this product isn’t going to immediately incite a ton of outgrowth, but instead replenish your hair from the scalp to make sure that your strands grow extra healthy and strong. Alyssa Brascia, Peoplemag, 28 Oct. 2023 Yet the Chinese government continues to accuse him of inciting political unrest against the state. Lobsang Sangay, Foreign Affairs, 6 Nov. 2023 In his own floor speech, Romney said, What happened here today was an insurrection, incited by the president of the United States. Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 16 Oct. 2023 Hamas’ surprise attack on Israeli civilians over the weekend incited strong reactions on college campuses across the United States. Sarah Matusek, The Christian Science Monitor, 13 Oct. 2023 See More

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 11 Dec. 2023.

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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