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
Relevance
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of incites
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
This is the kind of rhetoric that incites violence.
—Marni Rose McFall, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025
Set after the Norman invasion of England, Rob (Patten) witnesses the execution of his father, a Saxon forester, which incites him to rebel.
—Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Sep. 2025
The platform bans content that glorifies violence, incites harm or celebrates attacks.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 13 Sep. 2025
Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 23 Oct. 2025
This is the kind of rhetoric that incites violence.
—Marni Rose McFall, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025
Set after the Norman invasion of England, Rob (Patten) witnesses the execution of his father, a Saxon forester, which incites him to rebel.
—Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Sep. 2025
The platform bans content that glorifies violence, incites harm or celebrates attacks.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 13 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for incites
Verb
-
Through her restraint, Roberts provokes in us some semblance of empathy for her character – in a movie where everyone else is basically monstrous.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
10 Oct. 2025
-
Every action provokes a reaction.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Instead of scrolling through Instagram—or, admittedly, hitting the snooze button a few too many times—Vig encourages you to spend that time sprucing up your space.—
Kelsey Mulvey,
Southern Living,
31 Oct. 2025
-
In children and adolescents, physical activity promotes bone health; encourages healthy growth and the development of muscle; and improves motor and cognitive development.—
Hannah Millington,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Progesterone promotes cell death among defective cells that could turn cancerous.—
Jocelyn Solis-Moreira,
Flow Space,
27 Oct. 2025
-
Healthy soil also promotes better nutrient absorption, allowing your lawn to better withstand disease and weeds.—
Patricia Shannon,
Southern Living,
26 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Mercury entering Sagittarius today stimulates your creative faculties.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
29 Oct. 2025
-
The low-level, external electrical charge stimulates the body’s internal repair mechanism.—
Scott Lafee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
This reflection is what inspires the characters’ personal reflections, their detailing of the mythopoetic wonder of their proximity to the land, their intense solidarity with one another, and their fervent attachment to their individual and collective past.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
30 Oct. 2025
-
Beyond the shock factor, Crow hopes her video inspires others with old jetted tubs to check theirs, and encourages empathy for people maintaining older homes.—
Jordan Greene,
PEOPLE,
29 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Incites.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/incites. Accessed 2 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share