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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

"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

Tame by our standards, and as Coach said, it wasn’t likely to incite a religious war or anything since it contained a moral lesson.

From "Winger" by Andrew Smith

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.