incite

verb

in·​cite in-ˈsīt 

incited; inciting

transitive verb

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

incitant

in-ˈsī-tᵊnt 

noun

incitement

in-ˈsīt-mənt 

noun

inciter noun

Synonyms

• 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

While the overall economic forecast remains ambiguous due to persistent worries regarding tariffs affecting major trading partners—which may incite inflation and hinder growth—Goldman is projected to gain from robust performance in its trading division. —Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 16 July 2025

Fearmongering, intimidation and threats against judges are growing across social media platforms, often incited by our co-equal branches of government. —Andre M. Davis, Baltimore Sun, 6 July 2025

The post incited mass backlash by Californians and women's rights activists across the nation. —Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2025

Leavitt has often been perceived as the villain of Secret Wives, and her drama with many of the women was the inciting incident in the show's first season. —Maureen Lee Lenker Published, EW.com, 1 July 2025

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

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