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incited; inciting
: to move to action : stir up : spur on : urge on
Synonyms
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
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
Such responses come at the expense of steps that would address the underlying problems inciting revenge against society attacks.
—Peidong Sun, Foreign Affairs, 25 Dec. 2024
That trend continued after the election when Massachusetts Democratic Rep. Seth Moulton spoke out against his party's stance and actions in enabling transgender inclusion in multiple interviews, inciting fierce backlash and even a massive pro-transgender rally outside his office.
—Jackson Thompson, Fox News, 20 Dec. 2024
The acute and violent reaction this week to the Fed most likely scrapping their 2025 interest rate forecast, rattled investors and incited a massive selling spree in U.S. equites dropping the S & P 500.
—Jeff Kilburg, CNBC, 20 Dec. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Incite.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/incite. Accessed 4 Jan. 2025.
Kids Definition
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
More from Merriam-Webster on incite
Nglish: Translation of incite for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of incite for Arabic Speakers
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