1
as in excitement
something that arouses a strong response from another
the rabble-rousing speech was seen by many as an incitation to ethnic violence
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in incentive
something that arouses action or activity
a mild heart attack was all the incitation he needed to adopt an exercise regimen and a healthy diet
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of incitation
But one chat room over, the server was filled with racist memes, sexist and ableist slurs, antisemitic messages, and incitations of violence against women and people of color.
—
Ash Parrish, The Verge, 18 Mar. 2024
Between these voices of reason and incitation, between these two seemingly different men, lie 22 years of power and five American presidents.
—New York Times, 26 Mar. 2022
Bolsonaro will still have to stand trial for accusations of slander and incitation to rape.
—Mauricio Savarese, Fox News, 12 Sep. 2018
Ash Parrish, The Verge, 18 Mar. 2024
Between these voices of reason and incitation, between these two seemingly different men, lie 22 years of power and five American presidents.
—New York Times, 26 Mar. 2022
Bolsonaro will still have to stand trial for accusations of slander and incitation to rape.
—Mauricio Savarese, Fox News, 12 Sep. 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for incitation
Noun
-
There’s a peculiar excitement about snake hunting that’s hard to describe.—
Dr. C. E. Kuschel,
Outdoor Life,
9 Apr. 2026
-
After all, progressive candidates have long generated excitement without winning electoral victories.—
Joey Cappelletti,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
But their relationship didn’t last, and the movie studios moved on, lured away by new incentives in other states.—
Patrick Radden Keefe,
New Yorker,
13 Apr. 2026
-
These connections between bonds and environmental risks give counties a financial incentive to engage in conservation.—
Leah Campbell,
Hartford Courant,
11 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
This time, economists say the job market and consumer spending are weaker, and there are no large government stimulus checks being issued to spur demand.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Being in an unfamiliar place, getting poor sleep, and constant stimuli from lights and noise all contribute to delirium.—
Torie Bosch,
STAT,
11 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, with a noted socialist streak, has proposed a tax increase on New Yorkers making more than $1 million, which critics have cited as the impetus for New York’s wealthiest fleeing the state, and taking their money (and tax revenue) with them.—
Sasha Rogelberg,
Fortune,
8 Apr. 2026
-
The impetus was the death of [Fela Kuti drummer] Tony Allen at the very beginning of COVID.—
Jonathan Cohen,
SPIN,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
That includes writing a letter of encouragement to a friend whose child was born with a heart defect.—
Noah Lyons,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Apr. 2026
-
There is genuine encouragement for others to achieve their goals, and support is available at every turn.—
Matt Parrott,
Arkansas Online,
12 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Most characters aren’t changing, nor are their motivations to change clear to them or novel to us.—
Chris O'Falt,
IndieWire,
10 Apr. 2026
-
From animal welfare to renewable energy and garment worker wages, the need for change is often well documented, and the tools are there, but the motivation is lacking.—
Bella Webb,
Vogue,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
That said, occasional gentle stimulation—like a scalp massage—is generally harmless, according to Bauman.—
Kathleen Ferraro,
Verywell Health,
14 Apr. 2026
-
But sonogenetics offers the possibility of noninvasive stimulation.—
Paul Sisson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Incitation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/incitation. Accessed 16 Apr. 2026.
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