INCITE Synonyms: 100 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

incite

verb

in-ˈsīt

Definition of incite next

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

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

Examples Sentences

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Recent Examples of incite However, as Messi was absent, Saturday's ceremony also incited controversy. —

Jackson Thompson, Fox News, 4 Jan. 2025 The Democratic Party has called for the immediate execution of the warrant and criticized Yoon for inciting supporters to obstruct justice. —

Dan Perry, Newsweek, 2 Jan. 2025 South Korean law permits anyone to make an arrest to stop an active crime, and critics accused Yoon of inciting his supporters to obstruct attempts to detain him. —

Kim Tong-Hyung, Los Angeles Times, 2 Jan. 2025 Read the full Taurus Daily Horoscope Gemini (May 21 - June 21) Someone else may be inciting your next big move. —

USA TODAY, 26 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for incite

Recent Examples of Synonyms for incite

Verb

Bitcoin prices have declined this week, dropping below $93,000 earlier today after robust economic data provoked concerns that Federal Reserve officials will have to cut rates more slowly.

Charles Lloyd Bovaird II, Forbes, 8 Jan. 2025
Late last month, just inside the visitors’ locker room at Lumen Field, two brash, muscular, headstrong men wrapped up each other in the wake of the Vikings’ 27-24 victory over the Seattle Seahawks, provoking knowing smiles from witnesses conscious of their budding bromance.

Michael Silver, The Athletic, 8 Jan. 2025