1
as in provokes
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 encourages
to rouse to strong feeling or action
the demagogue's fiery rant incited the crowd to riot
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of incites
The phrase either inspires excitement or incites fear among adults who are lucky enough to still have their parents and siblings around and still want to hang out with them.
—
Sarah James, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Mar. 2026
January 20 – February 18 When tension incites change, your presence can be a guiding light.
—Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 16 Mar. 2026
Renaud hopes that the 37-minute HBO doc incites change.
—Addie Morfoot, Variety, 28 Feb. 2026
This incites the monster to kill Frankenstein’s wife, Elizabeth, shortly after she and the mad scientist have been married.
—Alison Eldridge, Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 Feb. 2026
While the technology behind agents will, no doubt, continue to change and grow, organizations that retain the highest benefits from it are likely to be those that bring people along for the changes technology incites.
—Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 23 Dec. 2025
Until then, the only limits on their selections were Vimeo’s standard terms of service, which prohibit content that incites violence or qualifies as pornographic.
—Chris O'Falt, IndieWire, 22 Dec. 2025
Luke is interested in why this test incites terror in the kids and unease among teachers.
—Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 21 Dec. 2025
And when her romance with Denji threatens to become lethal, their love story turns twisted and incites a series of battles that could destroy Tokyo.
—Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 23 Oct. 2025
Sarah James, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Mar. 2026
January 20 – February 18 When tension incites change, your presence can be a guiding light.
—Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 16 Mar. 2026
Renaud hopes that the 37-minute HBO doc incites change.
—Addie Morfoot, Variety, 28 Feb. 2026
This incites the monster to kill Frankenstein’s wife, Elizabeth, shortly after she and the mad scientist have been married.
—Alison Eldridge, Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 Feb. 2026
While the technology behind agents will, no doubt, continue to change and grow, organizations that retain the highest benefits from it are likely to be those that bring people along for the changes technology incites.
—Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 23 Dec. 2025
Until then, the only limits on their selections were Vimeo’s standard terms of service, which prohibit content that incites violence or qualifies as pornographic.
—Chris O'Falt, IndieWire, 22 Dec. 2025
Luke is interested in why this test incites terror in the kids and unease among teachers.
—Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 21 Dec. 2025
And when her romance with Denji threatens to become lethal, their love story turns twisted and incites a series of battles that could destroy Tokyo.
—Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 23 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for incites
Verb
-
But the question of what is true or not is futile, even if Calle deliberately provokes this curiosity.—
Elisa Wouk Almino
Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Apr. 2026
-
The flurry of imagery provokes a surreal sort of whiplash.—
Kyle Chayka,
New Yorker,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
His inept Cabinet ignores, and actually encourages, his very weird and embarrassing meandering.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Sarah Olim, a general dentist in Katy, Texas, encourages her patients to come in for visits every six months.—
Tribune News Service,
The Orlando Sentinel,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Critics are alarmed by its presence at the White House, saying the group promotes extreme views and undermines public schools.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Noah Centineo promotes Our Hero, Balthazar at the Lakers versus Cleveland Cavaliers game in Los Angeles on March 31.—
Escher Walcott,
PEOPLE,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Beta-glucan also stimulates the release of GLP-1 from the gut, sending hormonal signals of fullness to the brain.—
Lauren Panoff,
Verywell Health,
3 Apr. 2026
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This molecule directly stimulates bone-building cells, helping increase bone density and strength.—
Hadia Zainab,
CNN Money,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe.—
Jackie Flynn Mogensen,
Scientific American,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Office storage rarely inspires much emotion, but Audo Copenhagen’s Crescent system gets close.—
Nicole Hoey,
Robb Report,
31 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Incites.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/incites. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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