incite
Americanverb (used with object)
verb
Synonym Usage
Incite, rouse, provoke, inflame are verbs meaning to goad or inspire an individual or a group to take some action or to express some feeling. Incite and rouse are similar in that, although they can imply in some contexts abrasive or inflammatory arousal of violent or uncontrolled behavior, neither necessarily does so. Incite means simply to induce activity, of whatever kind: incited to greater effort by encouragement; incited to riot. Rouse has an underlying sense of awakening: to rouse the apathetic soldiers to a determination to win; to rouse the inattentive public to an awareness of the danger. Provoke implies a sense of challenge or irritation along with arousal and often suggests a resultant anger or violence: provoked by scathing references to his accomplishments; to provoke a wave of resentment. Inflame, with its root sense to set afire, implies a resultant intensity and passion: to inflame a mob by fiery speeches; He was inflamed to rage by constant frustration.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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incitationnoun
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incitementnoun
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inciternoun
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reinciteverb (used with object)
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incitableadjective
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incitantadjective
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unincitedadjective
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incitinglyadverb
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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incitesimple
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incitessimple
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have incitedperfect
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has incitedperfect
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am incitingprogressive
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are incitingprogressive
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is incitingprogressive
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have been incitingperfect progressive
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has been incitingperfect progressive
Past
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incitedsimple
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had incitedperfect
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was incitingprogressive
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were incitingprogressive
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had been incitingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of incite
First recorded in 1475–85; from Latin incitāre, from in- in- 2 + citāre “to move repeatedly, set in motion, summon” ( see cite 1)
Explanation
To incite is to cause to act or occur. Violent words can incite violent actions which, in turn, might incite public outcry against violence. Incite comes from a Latin verb meaning "to move into action" and if you incite someone to do something, that is exactly how to describe it. Usually it is used in a negative context. Radical and intolerant teachings can incite hatred in those who listen. And if a government restricts its people too much, it can incite unrest and rebellion in the population.
Vocabulary lists containing incite
Fahrenheit 451
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Some Tricky Homonyms
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Speak
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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.
See Examples For:
She said it was infuriating that those opposed to rodeos would try to incite fear.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 9, 2026
The opportunity to actually engage with the multitude of conditions that may incite that violence feels unique and desperately needed.
From Salon ● Apr. 9, 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
For now, the White House is giving priority to stability, moving to sideline policy decisions that could incite retaliation from China or derail the summit.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 18, 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
"Real Madrid condemns this type of gesture and expression that incites violence and hatred in sports and society."
From Barron's ● Feb. 25, 2026
In Eugene: John Belushi’s character Bluto incites the famous “Animal House” food fight at the Erb Memorial Union cafeteria at the University of Oregon.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 16, 2026
While the fruit incites revulsion at first, it eventually becomes an object of affection among the family portrayed in the film.
From Salon ● Jul. 22, 2024
Throughout the show, we watch a young man contend with rice as if it really is a rare metal, one that first brings great prosperity but soon incites competition and greed.
From New York Times ● Dec. 15, 2023
I can see how our words are like fuel that incites him further.
From "Love, Hate & Other Filters" by Samira Ahmed
Kaufman wrote that the dare incited “hateful, offensive, and dangerous acts.”
From Los Angeles Times ● May 8, 2026
Speaking after the game, Benfica boss Jose Mourinho said he believed the Brazilian forward had acted disrespectfully and incited the crowd.
From BBC ● Feb. 24, 2026
The man in the tub is the French revolutionary Jean-Paul Marat, a journalist and physician who had incited a series of judicial massacres.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 21, 2025
Their passion incited a change of the film’s ending, and in turn, one of the all-time great professions of love ever captured on film — a change of fate, right at the stroke of midnight.
From Salon ● Dec. 17, 2025
Perhaps he was afraid he would be held responsible for her escape, afraid the master would think John had incited her to run away.
From "Harriet Tubman: Conductor on the Underground Railroad" by Ann Petry
Last year, Wangchuk was arrested in October with the government accusing him of inciting protests which he denied.
From BBC ● Jul. 13, 2026
The inciting conflict simmered for decades, starting in the late 14th century, before erupting into a series of civil wars lasting more than 30 years.
From Salon ● Jun. 21, 2026
The families of Stephen Oglivie and Henry Nowak have been resolute in demanding that these horrific attacks not be leveraged for inciting disorder—or for terrorizing the U.K.’s many immigrants.
From Slate ● Jun. 15, 2026
Jonathan’s curiosity is piqued, and he slips away from his wife’s side to get to the bottom of why they’re being followed — which is revealed to be the novel’s inciting incident.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 2, 2026
I listened silently to the charges: inciting African workers to strike and leaving the country without valid travel documents.
From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
