Definitions

incite

[in-sahyt] / ɪnˈsaɪt /

VERB

encourage, provoke

Synonyms

STRONGEST

abet agitate arouse encourage exhort foment inflame inspire instigate motivate prompt provoke rouse set off spur trigger urge whip up

STRONG

activate actuate animate coax craze drive excite force forward further goad impel induce influence inspirit persuade prick promote push raise set solicit stimulate taunt

WEAK

egg on fan the fire get to juice key up psych put up to stir up talk into work up

Antonyms

STRONGEST

block calm dampen depress deter discourage dissuade halt lull prevent quiet soothe stop tranquilize

STRONG

cease check deaden delay finish hinder impede repress suppress

WEAK

prohibit

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

They incite disputes because we live in a world that rewards arguing with undue power.

From Salon • Mar. 11, 2026

Someone ordered an Irish whiskey and didn’t incite a diplomatic incident.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 16, 2026

Madagascar's security forces on Friday said they had taken "strict measures" as they claimed the protesters aimed to "terrorise the population" and "incite looting".

From Barron's • Oct. 10, 2025

The ECU did not decide that the performance breached guidelines likely to encourage or incite crime, however.

From BBC • Sep. 25, 2025

I had found all sorts of ways to incite a quarrel between Phil and Gay, which gave me a perverse satisfaction—until Phil lost his usual cool and stormed out to his workshop.

From "Three Little Words: A Memoir" by Ashley Rhodes-Courter

Vocabulary lists containing incite

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