incite

verb

in-ˈsīt How to pronounce incite (audio)
Definition of incitenext
1
as in to provoke
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to encourage
to rouse to strong feeling or action the demagogue's fiery rant incited the crowd to riot

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb incite contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of incite are abet, foment, and instigate. While all these words mean "to spur to action," incite stresses a stirring up and urging on, and may or may not imply initiating.

inciting a riot

When could abet be used to replace incite?

In some situations, the words abet and incite are roughly equivalent. However, abet implies both assisting and encouraging.

aiding and abetting the enemy

When would foment be a good substitute for incite?

The meanings of foment and incite largely overlap; however, foment implies persistence in goading.

fomenting rebellion

Where would instigate be a reasonable alternative to incite?

While in some cases nearly identical to incite, instigate definitely implies responsibility for initiating another's action and often connotes underhandedness or evil intention.

instigated a conspiracy

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 incite Some textbook examples include stories that incite fear and panic that reducing our reliance on oil and gas would lead to both widespread and permanent unemployment and demolish the economy. — Joe Árvai, The Conversation, 22 June 2026 Staff members of the satirical magazine Leman are on trial on charges of inciting hatred over a cartoon published last year that features the Prophet Mohammed and Moses. — ABC News, 2 July 2026 The worldwide rights deal follows Citizen Vigilante effective ban in Germany, where it was denied a rating due to concerns that its violent content could incite violence against immigrants. — Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 30 June 2026 Another wrinkle of the law has incited ample speculation about Marshall, Kansas’ junior Republican senator, who is facing his first reelection bid this fall. — Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 2 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for incite
Recent Examples of Synonyms for incite
  1. provoke
  2. encourage
  3. stimulate
Verb
  • Montgomery’s death provoked an outpouring of heartfelt support.
    — Sarah M.S. Pearsall, The Conversation, 2 July 2026
  • What the 1998 demolition unexpectedly uncovered roiled Miami and provoked a worldwide outcry — a mysterious set of 24 holes carved into the limestone bedrock in a perfect circle, 38 feet in diameter.
    — Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 30 June 2026
Definition of provoke
Verb
  • Valentine also testified that the FDA encourages infant formula companies to send in all adverse event reports and that nothing prevented Mead Johnson from doing so.
    — David Hilzenrath, USA Today, 2 July 2026
  • Going forward, the city will encourage data center developers to submit an application for a special use district, meaning the site would specifically be used for a data center, nothing else.
    — Alysa Guffey, IndyStar, 2 July 2026
Definition of encourage
Verb
  • The formula includes collagen-stimulating copper peptides and Matrixyl 3000 (a gentle retinol alternative) to quite-literally make the skin age in reverse.
    — Reece Andavolgyi, InStyle, 4 July 2026
  • The process involved suctioning the newborn's airway and stimulating him.
    — Latoya Gayle, PEOPLE, 3 July 2026
Definition of stimulate

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Cite this Entry

“Incite.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/incite. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on incite

Nglish: Translation of incite for Spanish Speakers

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