incur

American  

[in-kur] / ɪnˈkɜr /

verb (used with object)

incurred, incurring

1. to come into or acquire (some consequence, usually undesirable or injurious).

   to incur a huge number of debts.

2. to become liable or subject to through one's own action; bring or take upon oneself.

   to incur his displeasure.

   Synonyms:

   provoke , incite , arouse

---

incur British  

/ ɪnˈkɜː /

verb

1. to make oneself subject to (something undesirable); bring upon oneself

2. to run into or encounter

---

Other Word Forms

• incurrable adjective
• reincur verb (used with object)

Etymology

Origin of incur

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Latin incurrere “to run into, come upon,” equivalent to in- in- ² + currere “to run”; current

Example Sentences

Wolseley, he judges, never accepted that the logistical challenges incurred by his decision to follow the Nile had doomed his campaign.

From The Wall Street Journal

If she did pay your brother’s expenses, they again would have to agree to this in writing before those expenses were incurred to avoid legal and estate issues.

From MarketWatch

If you use a VPN in these places, you could incur fines or other legal consequences.

From Salon

The "de minimis" loophole allows overseas retailers to send goods to the UK worth up to £135 without incurring customs duty.

From BBC

HP expects to incur about $650 million in costs related to the restructuring plan, including about $250 million in the current fiscal year.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• acquire
• arouse
• earn
• obtain
• provoke