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incite

verb

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in·cite | \ in-ˈsīt

incited; inciting

Definition of incite

transitive verb

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

Other Words from incite Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym Example Sentences Learn More about incite

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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 He was charged in October with one count of interstate travel to incite a riot. — Katy Read, Star Tribune, "Two more plead guilty to helping burn Minneapolis Third Precinct headquarters," 23 Jan. 2021 Bell said freedom of speech does not include the right to incite violence or sedition. — Tyler Arnold, Washington Examiner, "Virginia state Sen. Amanda Chase stripped from committee assignment after connection to Trump rally," 20 Jan. 2021 In a vigorous, civil debate, the teens looked up the definition to incite and discussed the constitutional right to protest and the 25th amendment. — Jennifer Calfas, WSJ, "Capitol Riot Becomes Civics Lessons in Schools," 18 Jan. 2021 The movie centres around a group of activists famously indicted on charges of conspiracy and crossing state lines to incite a riot in the aftermath of violent protests at the 1968 Chicago Democratic Convention. — Anne Cohen, refinery29.com, "The Trial Of The Chicago 7," 19 Oct. 2020 There's no way to guarantee that your guests are not coming to incite violence. — Leena Kim, Town & Country, "Airbnb Will Cancel All Washington D.C. Reservations During Inauguration Week," 13 Jan. 2021 Twitter and Facebook, which Trump was also banned from, expressed concerns that Trump could incite further violence. — Sarah Ravani, SFChronicle.com, "Rumored pro-Trump protest at Twitter HQ fails to materialize," 11 Jan. 2021 Of course, Trump using social media to promote lies and incite violence was going on long before yesterday's coup and long before Joe Biden won the presidential election in November. — Olivia Harrison, refinery29.com, "Facebook & Twitter Are Finally Banning Trump — Now That He’s No Longer Profitable," 8 Jan. 2021 That same humble deity, in the course of putting on humanity, had obtained a glimpse of the conditions on earth—poverty, needless estrangement, a stubborn pattern of rich ruling over poor—and decided to incite a revolution that would harrow Hell. — Vinson Cunningham, The New Yorker, "What Thomas Jefferson Could Never Understand About Jesus," 28 Dec. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'incite.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.