as in provocative
serving or likely to arouse a strong reaction
a deliberately inciting comment questioning someone's manhood started the brawl
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in provoking
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in encouraging
to rouse to strong feeling or action
the demagogue's fiery rant incited the crowd to riot
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of inciting
Ryan Brennan
april 16, Miami Herald, 16 Apr. 2026
While one of the inciting events for establishing the Code of Credits happened to be a crowd of producers onstage at the Oscars, the goal never was to exclude anyone from the profession.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 24 Mar. 2026
Atwood told Wertheim there were several ways into the story, but an inciting event came in 1981, just after former President Ronald Reagan was elected for the office.
—Will Croxton, CBS News, 9 Feb. 2026
That incident, which inspired the inciting moment of season two’s premiere, led Lee to think about how different generations approach love and relationships.
—Rebecca Ford, Vanity Fair, 21 Jan. 2026
The inciting moment, April explains, was Noelle’s fourth-grade school art show.
—Ruth Madievsky, The Atlantic, 21 Jan. 2026
That’s the inciting incident of the new Paramount+ series Little Disasters, based on the Sarah Vaughan novel of the same name.
—Barry Levitt, Time, 12 Dec. 2025
That’s a solid dramatic question, but one that might’ve been more productive as an inciting incident, as too much of this low-budget drama shuffles around subjects that demand incisive action in 2025, effectively creating a subtle irony that undermines the film’s own point.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 4 Nov. 2025
There's a naivety and sweetness to them that's ripped away in an instant when the two passionately make love in the barren house, the inciting incident for the demise of their relationship.
—Billie Melissa, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 4 May 2026
Specifically, on May 4, 1886, eight men were arrested by the Chicago police for inciting violence after a bomb exploded at a protest and chaos broke out, with officer and civilian deaths.
—Hannah Hudnall, USA Today, 1 May 2026
After an active shooter incident disrupted the actual dinner two days later, on April 25, some social media users accused Kimmel of inciting violence toward the president.
—Adam England, PEOPLE, 29 Apr. 2026
France convicted him multiple times for inciting racial hatred and he was stripped of his French citizenship in 2024.
—ABC News, 29 Apr. 2026
If calling a politician an aspiring authoritarian is tantamount to inciting their murder, then doing so is irresponsible even if the charge is true.
—Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 28 Apr. 2026
Friday, police also arrested a 21-year-old woman on a felony charge of inciting to riot.
—Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 25 Apr. 2026
Matching the high-wire tempo of the first season’s inciting fender bender, this opening sets up the theme of the season.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 16 Apr. 2026
But what’s a rom-com without some inciting shenanigans?
—Adam Graham, Twin Cities, 16 Apr. 2026
Adjective
The inciting moment comes when Austin and Ashley witness a violent argument between Josh and Lindsay.
—Ryan Brennan
april 16, Miami Herald, 16 Apr. 2026
While one of the inciting events for establishing the Code of Credits happened to be a crowd of producers onstage at the Oscars, the goal never was to exclude anyone from the profession.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 24 Mar. 2026
Atwood told Wertheim there were several ways into the story, but an inciting event came in 1981, just after former President Ronald Reagan was elected for the office.
—Will Croxton, CBS News, 9 Feb. 2026
That incident, which inspired the inciting moment of season two’s premiere, led Lee to think about how different generations approach love and relationships.
—Rebecca Ford, Vanity Fair, 21 Jan. 2026
The inciting moment, April explains, was Noelle’s fourth-grade school art show.
—Ruth Madievsky, The Atlantic, 21 Jan. 2026
That’s the inciting incident of the new Paramount+ series Little Disasters, based on the Sarah Vaughan novel of the same name.
—Barry Levitt, Time, 12 Dec. 2025
That’s a solid dramatic question, but one that might’ve been more productive as an inciting incident, as too much of this low-budget drama shuffles around subjects that demand incisive action in 2025, effectively creating a subtle irony that undermines the film’s own point.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 4 Nov. 2025
There's a naivety and sweetness to them that's ripped away in an instant when the two passionately make love in the barren house, the inciting incident for the demise of their relationship.
—Billie Melissa, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
Verb
This inciting incident gradually links together other dark threads in the building, including a gambling addict attempting to hide a corpse and a woman living alone who is the victim of an assault.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 4 May 2026
Specifically, on May 4, 1886, eight men were arrested by the Chicago police for inciting violence after a bomb exploded at a protest and chaos broke out, with officer and civilian deaths.
—Hannah Hudnall, USA Today, 1 May 2026
After an active shooter incident disrupted the actual dinner two days later, on April 25, some social media users accused Kimmel of inciting violence toward the president.
—Adam England, PEOPLE, 29 Apr. 2026
France convicted him multiple times for inciting racial hatred and he was stripped of his French citizenship in 2024.
—ABC News, 29 Apr. 2026
If calling a politician an aspiring authoritarian is tantamount to inciting their murder, then doing so is irresponsible even if the charge is true.
—Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 28 Apr. 2026
Friday, police also arrested a 21-year-old woman on a felony charge of inciting to riot.
—Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 25 Apr. 2026
Matching the high-wire tempo of the first season’s inciting fender bender, this opening sets up the theme of the season.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 16 Apr. 2026
But what’s a rom-com without some inciting shenanigans?
—Adam Graham, Twin Cities, 16 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inciting
Adjective
-
The police did not respond to a list of questions from CNN, including which instructions were not followed, which conduct was suspicious and why possessing a camera is seen as provocative.—
Oren Liebermann,
CNN Money,
28 Apr. 2026
-
So, what does the provocative British artist have to do with all of this?—
Leigh Anne Miller,
ARTnews.com,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Aliens, dystopian nightmares, and twisted realities are more than likely provoking a reaction from viewers that flies a lot closer to terrified.—
Grace Dean,
Space.com,
2 May 2026
-
Through the band members’ stories, Méndez guides readers expertly through a historical landscape that may be unfamiliar to them and examines thought-provoking ideas about art and protest.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
The Moon in Sagittarius activates your 3rd House of Communication, encouraging direct expression and clearer exchanges.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
4 May 2026
-
And the petition would need to name the private entity’s president, director or other corporate officer as the preferred guardian, rather than a business name, with the goal of encouraging more personal responsibility.—
Christy Gutowski,
Chicago Tribune,
3 May 2026
Adjective
-
At a charged political moment, her relatively sober look seemed intended to keep the focus on POTUS.—
Vogue,
Vogue,
12 Dec. 2025
-
What Happens Next Greene is likely to continue stoking controversy by breaking with her party, as conversations around immigration remain charged and divisive.—
Alia Shoaib,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Inciting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inciting. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
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