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 Tariq Thowfeek, Texas communications director for Biden’s campaign, cited Trump’s failure to denounce QAnon conspiracy theorists in his town hall Thursday night as an example of how his words incite harm. — Elizabeth Thompson, Dallas News, "Trump campaign reaching out in hopes of overcoming poor showing among Black Texans in 2016," 16 Oct. 2020 Twitter will delete or attach warning labels to tweets that prematurely claim victory, incite violence, or seek to delegitimize election results. — Nicolás Rivero, Quartz, "How social media platforms plan to curb fake news about the US election," 30 Oct. 2020 All except Froines and Weiner were charged with crossing state lines to incite a riot, while those two were charged with instructing others in building and using incendiary devices. — Andrea Park, Marie Claire, "'The Trial of the Chicago 7': What Happened to the Real-Life Defendants?," 19 Oct. 2020 Dellinger, Davis, Hayden, Hoffman and Ruben were convicted of crossing state lines with intent to incite a riot. — Doug George, chicagotribune.com, "The Chicago 7: A timeline of the protests, the clashes, the trial and the fallout," 16 Oct. 2020 After a violent clash between Chicago police and protesters at the 1968 Democratic National Convention, an infamous trial begins the next year with the organizers charged with conspiracy to incite a riot. — Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, "Yahya Abdul-Mateen II on that shocking 'Trial of the Chicago 7' scene: 'They can't break your spirit'," 16 Oct. 2020 On February 18, 1970, the jury acquitted all seven defendants of conspiracy charges but convicted five of them—Davis, Delliger, Hayden, Hoffman and Rubin—of crossing state lines to incite a riot. — Jeanne Dorin Mcdowell, Smithsonian Magazine, "The True Story of the ‘Trial of the Chicago 7’," 15 Oct. 2020 It’s based on the notorious 1969 trial in which seven (originally eight) defendants were charged by President Richard Nixon’s Justice Department with conspiracy to incite violence in the wake of the 1968 Democratic National Convention. — Peter Rainer, The Christian Science Monitor, "‘Chicago 7’: Fast-talking court drama is a window on protest and America," 14 Oct. 2020 Eight men, representing the full spectrum of the dissident left, were indicted for conspiracy to cross state lines in order to incite that riot. — Tribune News Service, cleveland, "‘Trial of Chicago 7’ review: Aaron Sorkin takes Mayor Daley’s 1968 nightmare to court (review)," 8 Oct. 2020

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.