incite

verb

in·​cite in-ˈsīt How to pronounce incite (audio)
incited; inciting
Synonyms of incite

transitive verb

1
: to move (someone) to action : urge on
incited the crowd to violence
2
: to cause (a usually violent action or feeling) to occur
arrested for inciting a riot
incitant
in-ˈsī-tᵊnt How to pronounce incite (audio)
noun
incitement
in-ˈsīt-mənt How to pronounce incite (audio)
noun
inciter noun

Synonyms of incite

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incite, instigate, abet, foment mean to spur to action.

incite stresses a stirring up and urging on, and may or may not imply initiating.

inciting a riot

instigate definitely implies responsibility for initiating another's action and often connotes underhandedness or evil intention.

instigated a conspiracy

abet implies both assisting and encouraging.

aiding and abetting the enemy

foment implies persistence in goading.

fomenting rebellion

Examples of incite in a Sentence

The news incited widespread fear and paranoia. the rock band's failure to show up incited a riot, as the crowd had waited for hours
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
He was sentenced to six years for inciting terrorism and extremism. — Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 21 Oct. 2026 In 2020, following Election Day, a crowd stormed a vote-counting center in Detroit, many incited by online conspiracy theories about election fraud. — ABC News, 20 Oct. 2026 In 2020, after election day, a crowd stormed a vote-counting center in Detroit, many incited by online conspiracy theories about election fraud. — Deepa Bharath, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026 Skillful organizers who belonged to the Communist Party incited mass movements during the 1930s and World War II. — Michael Kazin, The New York Review of Books, 17 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for incite

Word History

Etymology

Middle French inciter, from Latin incitare, from in- + citare to put in motion — more at cite

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of incite was in the 15th century

Rhymes for incite

See All Rhymes for incite

Browse Nearby Words

incitation
incite
incitement
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Incite.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/incite. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

incite

verb
in·​cite in-ˈsīt How to pronounce incite (audio)
incited; inciting
: to move to action : stir up
inciter noun

Medical Definition

incite

transitive verb
in·​cite in-ˈsīt How to pronounce incite (audio)
incited; inciting
: to bring into being : induce to exist or occur
organisms that readily incited antibody formation

Legal Definition

incite

transitive verb
in·​cite in-ˈsīt How to pronounce incite (audio)
incited; inciting
: to urge on
incite a riot
incitement noun
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