INCUBATE Synonyms: 79 Similar and Opposite Words

incubate

verb

ˈiŋ-kyə-ˌbāt

Definition of incubate

as in to spawn

to cover and warm eggs as the young inside develop the hen incubated her eggs for two weeks

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in to promote

to help the growth or development of hopefully, these youthful visits to the museum will incubate an enduring love of art

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 incubate Hint ended up coming to life after being incubated at Montauk Capital; it’s raised $10 million, and investors include Slow Ventures, Tusk Venture Partners, and Brian Kelly (aka the Points Guy—a Stewart bestie who joined yesterday). — Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 23 July 2026 To detain people who looked perfectly healthy, Ragusa’s councillors had to grasp that a disease might incubate unseen—an intuition that arrived roughly five centuries before germ theory could explain it. — Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 21 July 2026 Molecular clouds can also be stellar nurseries, incubating new stars and planets in their depths. — Damien Pine, Scientific American, 13 July 2026 According to the ancient Greeks, a mighty serpent called Ophion incubated an enormous egg that hatched into the universe and all its inhabitants. — Literary Hub, 10 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for incubate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for incubate

Verb

The Row’s comb necklace graced the runway a few seasons ago and spawned the creation of many more.

— Daisy Shaw-Ellis, Vogue, 18 Aug. 2026
While their 1971 debut, ZZ Top’s First Album, failed to chart or spawn any noteworthy singles, the group steadily developed a reputation on the road.

— Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of spawn

Verb

Perhaps Patrick Dorgu should stay on the left, but given United would be expected to have much more of the ball against promoted Hull next Saturday, Matheus Cunha would likely get in there for his attacking flair.

— Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
Wrangler and Lee owner Kontoor Brands has promoted Joseph Alkire to president and chief financial officer.

— Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of promote

Verb

Los Angeles City Council members on Tuesday approved a resolution to remove 12 anti-camping zones around Hollywood, ending a years-long ban that prevented people from sitting, sleeping or camping in certain areas.

— Brittney Ermon, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026
Videos posted on social media show sellers at Tehran and Karaj wholesale markets sitting beside their fresh produce, waiting to sell goods like melons, watermelons, pears, bananas and grapes, but with no-one arriving to buy it.

— Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of sit

Verb

While the colors blend in with the landscape and may draw your eye outside, the rooms also encourage procrastinating.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Aug. 2026
Lee told the Queen that her husband’s candidness has encouraged many to feel more comfortable with their own cancer journeys.

— Allison DeGrushe, StyleCaster, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of encourage

Verb

Their efforts to hatch and raise offspring at their nest in Big Bear Valley in Southern California became popular with millions of live cam viewers.

— Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 18 Aug. 2026
Though Jackie hatched a decade earlier and 70 miles away, her parents also were named Lucy and Ricky.

— Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of hatch

Verb

The courses, Cristerna said, would have been useful in learning how to negotiate brand deals, maximize monetization opportunities and cultivate and keep an audience.

— ABC News, ABC News, 14 Aug. 2026
Newly interested in landscape design, Kim’s mother also cultivated the property’s garden, grooming its old red pine tree and planting the grounds with tulips, chrysanthemums, and daisies.

— Hannah Martin, Architectural Digest, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of cultivate

Verb

Jaissle desires an on-field lieutenant in midfield who can provide a calm head and help guide and nurture the younger players around him.

— Chris Waugh, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
Alongside his brother Éric, Nicolas was a leading figure in French cinema — and the broader audiovisual industry — a passionate producer who discovered and nurtured some of our greatest talents, and a loyal partner of @canalplus.

— Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 18 Aug. 2026