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 After they’re incubated and hatched, the ducklings are raised for about five weeks and released into the wild. — Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 Oct. 2026 The eggs are incubated and hatched there, and the ducklings are raised for about five weeks before being released back into the wild. — Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 16 Oct. 2026 Finding people at high risk of incubating the Bundibugyo virus, also known as contact tracing, has proved difficult in Congo. — Constant Same Bagalwa, Arkansas Online, 4 Oct. 2026 Finding people at high risk of incubating the Bundibugyo virus — also known as contact tracing — has proved difficult in Congo. — ABC News, 3 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for incubate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for incubate

Verb

Today’s IndyCar bosses could use a bit of the creativity that spawned the PPG Pace Cars.

— Stephen Edelstein, The Drive, 1 Nov. 2026
Both of those are done by the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation, although some inspections spawn from customer complaints.

— David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of spawn

Verb

Rather than campaign for Whatley, he's been promoting his new book criticizing fellow Republicans.

— Colin Campbell, NPR, 4 Nov. 2026
The pastor successfully converted his personal popularity into votes by promoting unity — both among Kansans and between political parties.

— Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of promote

Verb

But the end of daylight saving time also means an earlier sunset, which doesn't always sit right with people.

— Amanda Callahan, CBS News, 2 Nov. 2026
In this room, with white carpet, marble arches and marble skirting, church members sit and quietly meditate or pray beneath a crystal chandelier.

— Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of sit

Verb

In a statement, Gaspar said he was encouraged by the early results and the momentum behind his campaign.

— Melissa Gomez, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2026
The company said the release is intended to encourage other researchers to build on the work and improve the technology.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of encourage

Verb

Those eggs are nearing the end of their 45- to 60-day incubation period, and may hatch any day.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2026
Known for his figurative expressionist works, often using a cross-hatching technique to distort the human body, Chowdhury blended Western modern artistic currents with local Indian influences.

— Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of hatch

Verb

In other cases the cells may be cultivated in a bioreactor, in which they are suspended and kept in motion; constant spinning encourages the cells to self-organize into multilayered, three-dimensional structures.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 6 Nov. 2026
Her musical influences, similarly incongruous on their face, stem from an era of digital music post-iTunes and pre-slop when casual internet explorers could cultivate a sprawling taste profile for free.

— Hattie Lindert, Pitchfork, 5 Nov. 2026

Definition of cultivate

Verb

Visitors will also learn how these three plants protect and nurture one another when planted together, in honor of National Native American Heritage Month.

— Kat Tran November 7, Sacbee.com, 7 Nov. 2026
The reward for those who have worked hard to nurture their brain in seeking a rewarding and fulfilling career and life.

— Ellis Verdi, Forbes.com, 5 Nov. 2026