incite

1 to bring (something volatile or intense) into being the rock band's failure to show up incited a riot, as the crowd had waited for hours Synonyms abet, brew, ferment, foment, instigate, pick, provoke, raise, stir (up), whip (up) Related Words advance, cultivate, encourage, forward, foster, further, nourish, nurture, promote, sow, stimulate; detonate, set, set off, trigger; excite, galvanize, inflame (also enflame), inspire, motivate, rouse; activate, energize, enliven, fire, invigorate, jazz (up), liven (up), pep (up), quicken, stimulate, vitalize Phrases set in motion Near Antonyms bridle, check, constrain, curb, discourage, hold, inhibit, regulate, rein (in), restrain, tame; allay, calm, quiet, settle, soothe, still, subdue, tranquilize (also tranquillize)

2 to rouse to strong feeling or action the demagogue's fiery rant incited the crowd to riot Synonyms arouse, encourage, excite, fire (up), impassion, provoke, instigate, move, pique, rev (up), spark, stimulate, stirRelated Words fan, ignite, inflame (also enflame), kindle, trigger; activate, animate, drive, energize, galvanize, induce, inspire, key (up), motivate, motive, pump up, quicken, set off, vitalize; abet, ferment, foment, raise, whip (up); anger, enrage, madden, upset; jeer, taunt, tease; aggravate, annoy, bother, exasperate, gall, get, irritate, vexNear Antonyms calm, soothe, subdue, tranquilize (also tranquillize); appease, mollify, pacify, placate