incite

verb

in·​cite in-ˈsīt 

incited; inciting

transitive verb

: to move to action : stir up : spur on : urge on

incitant

in-ˈsī-tᵊnt 

noun

incitement

in-ˈsīt-mənt 

noun

inciter noun

Synonyms

• abet
• brew
• ferment
• foment
• instigate
• pick
• provoke
• raise
• stir (up)
• whip (up)

Choose the Right Synonym for incite

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

An August 2024 report released by China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs accused NED of promoting coups, rigging elections, promoting false information, and otherwise inciting division globally. —Robert Schmad, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 15 Feb. 2025

This proposal, which amounts to a call for ethnic cleansing, would strip the Palestinians of even more land and undoubtedly incite a violent response from Hamas. —Mike Quigley, Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 2025

Now, to those of us who closely follow politics and care about the preservation of liberal democracy, turning to Trump as a savior might seem absurd, given his two impeachments, 54 felony indictments and role in inciting the Capitol riot. —Matt K. Lewis, Twin Cities, 9 Feb. 2025

Biden ended Trump’s intelligence briefings after Trump helped spur efforts to remain in power despite his loss in the 2020 presidential election, including his role in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol, for which he was impeached on a charge of inciting an insurrection. —Darlene Superville, Los Angeles Times, 8 Feb. 2025

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 above

Kids Definition

incite

verb

in·​cite in-ˈsīt 

incited; inciting

: to move to action : stir up

inciter noun

Medical Definition

incite

transitive verb

in·​cite in-ˈsīt 

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 

incited; inciting

: to urge on

incite a riot

incitement noun