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
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
Christa Swanson, CBS News, 9 Jan. 2026
Tim Walz and Jacob Frey are cowards who are inciting violence to distract from their own failures.
—Alex Derosier, Twin Cities, 7 Jan. 2026
Bardot was also fined multiple times by the French government for inciting racial hatred.
—Yamillah Hurtado, PEOPLE, 30 Dec. 2025
She was repeatedly fined for inciting racial hatred against Muslim immigrants to France, according to news reports.
—Daniel Arkin, NBC news, 30 Dec. 2025
She was convicted five times for inciting racial hatred, oftentimes directed at the Muslim community, and was publicly dismissive of the #MeToo movement and feminism, preferring to focus her philanthropic efforts on the rights of animals over women.
—Leah Dolan, CNN Money, 29 Dec. 2025
Bardot was also criticized for inciting racial hatred and for comparing homosexuals and pedophiles in her book.
—Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 29 Dec. 2025
Bardot would be convicted and fined for inciting racial hatred in France five times.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 29 Dec. 2025
But with each successive draft, the inciting incident—Noah being invited to Marfa—was pulled earlier and earlier toward the start.
—Literary Hub, 4 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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
Zabik is facing two counts of inciting destruction of life or property, menacing, and harassment.
—Christa Swanson, CBS News, 9 Jan. 2026
Tim Walz and Jacob Frey are cowards who are inciting violence to distract from their own failures.
—Alex Derosier, Twin Cities, 7 Jan. 2026
Bardot was also fined multiple times by the French government for inciting racial hatred.
—Yamillah Hurtado, PEOPLE, 30 Dec. 2025
She was repeatedly fined for inciting racial hatred against Muslim immigrants to France, according to news reports.
—Daniel Arkin, NBC news, 30 Dec. 2025
She was convicted five times for inciting racial hatred, oftentimes directed at the Muslim community, and was publicly dismissive of the #MeToo movement and feminism, preferring to focus her philanthropic efforts on the rights of animals over women.
—Leah Dolan, CNN Money, 29 Dec. 2025
Bardot was also criticized for inciting racial hatred and for comparing homosexuals and pedophiles in her book.
—Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 29 Dec. 2025
Bardot would be convicted and fined for inciting racial hatred in France five times.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 29 Dec. 2025
But with each successive draft, the inciting incident—Noah being invited to Marfa—was pulled earlier and earlier toward the start.
—Literary Hub, 4 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inciting
Adjective
-
That’s the question posed by a provocative ad running ahead of screenings at this year’s Thessaloniki Film Festival, highlighting the dire state of film funding in Greece.—
Christopher Vourlias,
Variety,
7 Nov. 2025
-
This mother makes what the star did in the equally provocative Mother seem like child’s play.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
When Russia, another strategic partner, invaded Ukraine in 2022, China stopped short of condemning Moscow or opposing the war, instead parroting Russian narrative of blaming on the United States and its NATO allies for provoking the conflict.—
Steven Jiang,
CNN Money,
6 Jan. 2026
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Rather, many Iranians instead blamed the leadership for either provoking the conflict or failing to meaningfully defend the country from Israeli – or American – bombs.—
Kamran Talattof,
The Conversation,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
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There was a lot to like about Jovic’s performance on Saturday, with Heat veteran guard Norman Powell pushing and encouraging him along the way.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
9 Nov. 2025
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Salt-n-Pepa also joined in, and the group of artists concluded the set with a call-and-response moment alongside the crowd, encouraging everyone to scream along.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
9 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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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 13 Jan. 2026.
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