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

"Disseminating such materials or inaccurate information can incite public panic and create a false impression of the country's actual situation," Shamsi said.

From Barron's • Mar. 10, 2026

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

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 16, 2026

French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said in a post on X that France's "rule of law is non-negotiable; actions that are violent in nature or incite hatred have no place on our territory".

From BBC • Jan. 14, 2026

The gentry of the neighborhood, hearing of his pronouncement, appeared in the following days to protest, saying that he would incite a rebellion in the neighborhood if others heard of his system.

From "The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume II: The Kingdom on the Waves" by M.T. Anderson

Vocabulary lists containing incite

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