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
Relevance
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of incite
Halfway through its ten-episode first season, Nick Antosca’s series lacks the basic elements that make Cape Fear, down to the inciting incident.
—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
26 June 2026
Even minor sparks or drifting embers can incite nearby foliage or grass, setting off a rapidly spreading fire.
—
Ca Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
25 June 2026
Torres has been charged with four counts of felony discharging a firearm to incite fear, one count of misdemeanor domestic violence, and one count of misdemeanor child abuse, officials said.
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Mark Price,
Charlotte Observer,
23 June 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for incite
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
26 June 2026
Even minor sparks or drifting embers can incite nearby foliage or grass, setting off a rapidly spreading fire.
—
Ca Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
25 June 2026
Torres has been charged with four counts of felony discharging a firearm to incite fear, one count of misdemeanor domestic violence, and one count of misdemeanor child abuse, officials said.
—
Mark Price,
Charlotte Observer,
23 June 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for incite
Recent Examples of Synonyms for incite
Verb
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Montgomery’s death provoked an outpouring of heartfelt support.
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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.
Verb
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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.
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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.
Verb
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Inside, soy proteins repair and strengthen, copper peptides stimulate keratin production–aka the protein that fortifies and minimizes frizz–and pro-B vitamins amplify fullness.
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Deadheading spent blooms will stimulate the plant to produce more flowers.
Cite this Entry
“Incite.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/incite. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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