incite

verb

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in·cite | \ in-ˈsīt

incited; inciting

Definition of incite

transitive verb

: to move to action : stir up : spur on : urge on

Other Words from incite Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym Example Sentences Learn More about incite

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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 Beijing has seized on the images to portray the movement as a coddled, westernized middle class incited by foreign organizations and governments to rebel against the world’s largest communist country, China. — Washington Post, "Anti-establishment views unite, divide Hong Kong protesters," 9 Jan. 2020 They were charged by the federal government with conspiracy, inciting to riot, and other charges arising from counterculture protests in Chicago at the 1968 Democratic National Convention. — Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, "Jeremy Strong out-pranked Sacha Baron Cohen on the set of The Trial of the Chicago 7," 7 Jan. 2020 He is accused of criminal association and inciting hate. — Wired Staff, Wired, "One Free Press Coalition Spotlights Journalists Under Attack," 6 Jan. 2020 National lists, regardless of their research merit, draw interest from people both in metro Phoenix and out of state, giving locals recommendations for where to eat and — if nothing else — inciting discussion. — Tirion Morris, azcentral, "Phoenix's food scene got a whole lot of recognition in 2019. Here are 12 takeaways," 31 Dec. 2019 The dismissed complaint further alleges that Mckesson did nothing to prevent the violence or to calm the crowd, and, indeed, alleges that Mckesson ‘incited the violence on behalf of [Black Lives Matter].’ . . — Jack Greiner, Cincinnati.com, "Strictly Legal: Does the First Amendment matter to Black Lives Matter?," 24 Dec. 2019 Their revulsion is the result of a psychiatric condition called misophonia, in which things like chewing and lip smacking incite a fight-or-flight response. — Popular Science, "Unlocking the mysterious ecstasy of ASMR—and its agonizing cousin," 18 Dec. 2019 Many in the movement portray themselves as struggling against an authoritarian hegemon, whereas the establishment characterizes the movement as riotous vandalism incited by socioeconomic woes and foreign interference. — Brian Wong, Time, "'One Country, Two Systems' Is Still the Best Model for Hong Kong, But It Badly Needs Reform," 30 Oct. 2019 Modi, speaking at a rally in the eastern state of Jharkhand on Sunday, blamed the opposition Congress party and its allies for inciting violence against the citizenship law. — NBC News, "Dozens injured in India as activists clash with police in citizenship law protests," 16 Dec. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'incite.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

19 Jan 2020

Cite this Entry

“Incite.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/incitement. Accessed 25 January 2020.

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More Definitions for incite

incite

verb