as in provocative
serving or likely to arouse a strong reaction
a deliberately inciting comment questioning someone's manhood started the brawl
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in provoking
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in encouraging
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 inciting
Will Croxton, CBS News, 9 Feb. 2026
That incident, which inspired the inciting moment of season two’s premiere, led Lee to think about how different generations approach love and relationships.
—Rebecca Ford, Vanity Fair, 21 Jan. 2026
The inciting moment, April explains, was Noelle’s fourth-grade school art show.
—Ruth Madievsky, The Atlantic, 21 Jan. 2026
That’s the inciting incident of the new Paramount+ series Little Disasters, based on the Sarah Vaughan novel of the same name.
—Barry Levitt, Time, 12 Dec. 2025
The brief relapse of James’ sister Lydia’s secret love for Graham Sutton is the inciting incident that leads to Ruby and James’ meeting.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 1 Dec. 2025
That’s a solid dramatic question, but one that might’ve been more productive as an inciting incident, as too much of this low-budget drama shuffles around subjects that demand incisive action in 2025, effectively creating a subtle irony that undermines the film’s own point.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 4 Nov. 2025
There's a naivety and sweetness to them that's ripped away in an instant when the two passionately make love in the barren house, the inciting incident for the demise of their relationship.
—Billie Melissa, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
His alleged infidelity became the inciting incident of the series, and Brooks’s sisters rally around her amid the breakup.
—Tom Smyth, Vulture, 9 Sep. 2025
James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2026
Eight adults were charged with offenses, including inciting to riot and loitering and prowling.
—Christopher Harris, CBS News, 5 Mar. 2026
Bardot was convicted five times for inciting racial hatred, according to French paper Le Monde.
—Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 27 Feb. 2026
In the justice ministry gazette, Sánchez González was accused of inciting an act of sabotage against the Municipal People's Court of Central Havana in 2022.
—Kim Hjelmgaard, USA Today, 26 Feb. 2026
The president solemnly condemned political violence—the same president who ended his first term by inciting a mob to sack Congress and overturn an election.
—David Frum, The Atlantic, 25 Feb. 2026
In December 2024, the Phnom Penh Municipal Court sentenced him to two years' imprisonment on charges of inciting social disorder, fined him 4 million riel ($1,000), and banned him permanently from voting or running from office.
—ABC News, 25 Feb. 2026
Fisher’s initial punishment, including his three-day suspension, was commensurate with incidents like inciting a riot.
—Jeffrey S. Solochek, Sun Sentinel, 25 Feb. 2026
After one pivotal student march on City Hall, he was arrested and charged with inciting a riot.
—Gibbs Knotts, Fortune, 17 Feb. 2026
Adjective
Atwood told Wertheim there were several ways into the story, but an inciting event came in 1981, just after former President Ronald Reagan was elected for the office.
—Will Croxton, CBS News, 9 Feb. 2026
That incident, which inspired the inciting moment of season two’s premiere, led Lee to think about how different generations approach love and relationships.
—Rebecca Ford, Vanity Fair, 21 Jan. 2026
The inciting moment, April explains, was Noelle’s fourth-grade school art show.
—Ruth Madievsky, The Atlantic, 21 Jan. 2026
That’s the inciting incident of the new Paramount+ series Little Disasters, based on the Sarah Vaughan novel of the same name.
—Barry Levitt, Time, 12 Dec. 2025
The brief relapse of James’ sister Lydia’s secret love for Graham Sutton is the inciting incident that leads to Ruby and James’ meeting.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 1 Dec. 2025
That’s a solid dramatic question, but one that might’ve been more productive as an inciting incident, as too much of this low-budget drama shuffles around subjects that demand incisive action in 2025, effectively creating a subtle irony that undermines the film’s own point.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 4 Nov. 2025
There's a naivety and sweetness to them that's ripped away in an instant when the two passionately make love in the barren house, the inciting incident for the demise of their relationship.
—Billie Melissa, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
His alleged infidelity became the inciting incident of the series, and Brooks’s sisters rally around her amid the breakup.
—Tom Smyth, Vulture, 9 Sep. 2025
Verb
To win a doxxing case, prosecutors must prove someone published a federal employee’s protected personal information for the purposes of threatening them or inciting violence.
—James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2026
Eight adults were charged with offenses, including inciting to riot and loitering and prowling.
—Christopher Harris, CBS News, 5 Mar. 2026
Bardot was convicted five times for inciting racial hatred, according to French paper Le Monde.
—Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 27 Feb. 2026
In the justice ministry gazette, Sánchez González was accused of inciting an act of sabotage against the Municipal People's Court of Central Havana in 2022.
—Kim Hjelmgaard, USA Today, 26 Feb. 2026
The president solemnly condemned political violence—the same president who ended his first term by inciting a mob to sack Congress and overturn an election.
—David Frum, The Atlantic, 25 Feb. 2026
In December 2024, the Phnom Penh Municipal Court sentenced him to two years' imprisonment on charges of inciting social disorder, fined him 4 million riel ($1,000), and banned him permanently from voting or running from office.
—ABC News, 25 Feb. 2026
Fisher’s initial punishment, including his three-day suspension, was commensurate with incidents like inciting a riot.
—Jeffrey S. Solochek, Sun Sentinel, 25 Feb. 2026
After one pivotal student march on City Hall, he was arrested and charged with inciting a riot.
—Gibbs Knotts, Fortune, 17 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inciting
Adjective
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The provocative, genre-defying horror flick boasts unhinged gore, a delightfully dark sense of humor, Madigan as the creepiest aunt ever, and a crowd-pleasing finale.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Contrarian doesn’t quite describe me; my rejection of The Pitt isn’t an attempt to appear provocative or argumentative.—
Anna Holmes,
The Atlantic,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
When not in the newsroom, Munis is often out on the streets with his camera, capturing the perfect portrait or settling in to watch a thought-provoking film.—
Munis Raza,
Interesting Engineering,
4 Mar. 2026
-
While teasing Season 2 and what’s to come, the series’ creators tout the advantages the audio format offers for thought-provoking science fiction.—
Jordaan Ashley,
Variety,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
In fact, the director was egging me on, encouraging me to go further with the hunching and muttering.—
Andrew Martin,
Vogue,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Benevolent Venus complements rule-minded Saturn in your 11th House of Friendship, encouraging clear agreements with your teams and friends.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
8 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
At a charged political moment, her relatively sober look seemed intended to keep the focus on POTUS.—
Vogue,
Vogue,
12 Dec. 2025
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What Happens Next Greene is likely to continue stoking controversy by breaking with her party, as conversations around immigration remain charged and divisive.—
Alia Shoaib,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Inciting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inciting. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
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