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 film’s success spawned several sequels, including Lethal Weapon 2 (1989), Lethal Weapon 3 (1992), and Lethal Weapon 4 (1998).

— Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 11 Aug. 2026
For three decades, rap legend and cultural icon Tupac Shakur’s killing has remained one of America’s great unsolved mysteries, spawning countless books, documentaries and long-form investigative journalism pieces.

— Marlow Stern, Variety, 10 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

Also sitting empty are all four corners, allowing those in the main stand to watch the Underground trains trundle along the Jubilee Line on their way to final stop Stanmore and back.

— Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026
Sponge The sponge typically consists of a soft layer of foam that sits between the blade and the rubber.

— BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of sit

Verb

Separating students from those pressures for several hours could encourage face-to-face conversation and give overwhelmed teenagers a genuine break.

— Kavin Bendre, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2026
Protecting elections and encouraging thoughtful voting is imperative to retake control of our government.

— Letters to the Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of encourage

Verb

So, along with the viral OnlyFans account, students hatched the plan to run the first-ever Fat Marmot Week.

— Maddie Rhodes, USA Today, 11 Aug. 2026
Out of fear of lost revenue, the two allegedly hatched a plan to use mothballs to deter birds from congregating on the beach behind their businesses, authorities said.

— Natasha Holt, FOXNews.com, 8 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

Elkins had announced the retirement before fight week, calling it his last dance, and laid his gloves in the center of the octagon afterward.

— Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Daemon brings troops and his dragon Caraxes, but holds out on laying siege for as long as possible, especially as Ormund has stationed children on the battlements and in front of the gates to the city.

— Jennifer Maas, Variety, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of lay

Verb

Since the 12th century London's guilds have nurtured generations of artisans, preserving skills while allowing each craft to evolve with every new era.

— Divia Thani, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Aug. 2026
Career strength is one aspect, and such capabilities also are emerging within startups being nurtured within Y Combinator.

— Joe McKendrick, Forbes.com, 9 Aug. 2026