1
as in provoked
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 & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in encouraged
to rouse to strong feeling or action
the demagogue's fiery rant incited the crowd to riot
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of incited
That exchange incited a deafening roar from the more than 10,000 fans in attendance.
—
Dane Mizutani, Twin Cities, 21 Mar. 2026
The decision incited backlash from right-wing activist Laura Loomer, who called for Prasad’s ouster.
—Aria Bendix, NBC news, 6 Mar. 2026
Chisholm incited criticism multiple times during the 2025 season while playing for the Yankees.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 6 Mar. 2026
That includes the origin story of how the lizard came to be, the creation of that Elio post-credits scene that incited the meme machine, and early test screening reactions that signaled there could be something more to that character.
—Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Mar. 2026
What incited this spontaneous staycation?
—Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 2 Mar. 2026
Those abuses caused outrage, which incited more protesters to show up.
—Robert Moor, New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2026
Benfica head coach Jose Mourinho suggested after the game that Vinicius Jr had incited the incident, also referencing the home side’s legend Eusebio, who is Black.
—Dan Kilpatrick, New York Times, 23 Feb. 2026
But was this not the result of an exploration Louise herself incited?
—Literary Hub, 17 Feb. 2026
Dane Mizutani, Twin Cities, 21 Mar. 2026
The decision incited backlash from right-wing activist Laura Loomer, who called for Prasad’s ouster.
—Aria Bendix, NBC news, 6 Mar. 2026
Chisholm incited criticism multiple times during the 2025 season while playing for the Yankees.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 6 Mar. 2026
That includes the origin story of how the lizard came to be, the creation of that Elio post-credits scene that incited the meme machine, and early test screening reactions that signaled there could be something more to that character.
—Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Mar. 2026
What incited this spontaneous staycation?
—Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 2 Mar. 2026
Those abuses caused outrage, which incited more protesters to show up.
—Robert Moor, New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2026
Benfica head coach Jose Mourinho suggested after the game that Vinicius Jr had incited the incident, also referencing the home side’s legend Eusebio, who is Black.
—Dan Kilpatrick, New York Times, 23 Feb. 2026
But was this not the result of an exploration Louise herself incited?
—Literary Hub, 17 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for incited
Verb
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But the bill and others like it have provoked a series of constitutional concerns.—
Miguel Torres,
AZCentral.com,
1 Apr. 2026
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Solomon Islands is one of China's closest partners in the region having struck a security agreement – the details have not been made public – with Beijing in 2022 after switching recognition from Taiwan to China in 2019, an act that provoked rioting in the capital, Honiara, in 2021.—
Didi Kirsten Tatlow,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Some players encouraged the 49ers to investigate, but Lynch noted that it was not broached by anyone who joined the team in the past few weeks since free agency opened, including wide receiver Mike Evans.—
Cam Inman,
Mercury News,
29 Mar. 2026
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Students should be encouraged to think historically, Zavala said, and to approach larger themes of colonization, erasure, power and to reflect on the way movements are shaped and the contradictions that occur within them.—
Kristy Hutchings,
Daily News,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The induced impact of our cast and crew spending along with the workers along the supply chain in turn stimulated even more economic growth.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
20 Mar. 2026
-
Olson eventually found a substance that did not seem to be hallucinogenic but potently stimulated growth in the cortical neurons of rodents.—
Clayton Dalton,
New Yorker,
13 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Incited.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/incited. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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