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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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:
My second twist might incite even more gasps: Instead of tuna, bake a handsome fillet of Steelhead trout.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 7, 2026
We will block those coming into the UK who seek to incite hatred and violence.
From BBC ● May 15, 2026
And in a brief explosive moment of recognition between their characters, Lane and Abbott incite the Winter Garden Theatre audience into a paroxysm of grief.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 5, 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
His master indeed forbade him from leaving his quarters on Sunday nights, for fear that in preaching of equality before the Lord on High, Isaac might incite riot on Earth.
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
Authorities said the publications incited "hatred" against the territory's government, judiciary and law enforcement agencies.
From BBC ● Jul. 15, 2026
Kaufman wrote that the dare incited “hateful, offensive, and dangerous acts.”
From Los Angeles Times ● May 8, 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
One of the husbands, possibly incited by the vicar, continually laid small charges against Norwood in court, causing him much exasperation and necessitating repeated trips across Bermuda to defend himself.
From "A Short History of Nearly Everything" by Bill Bryson
During the trial, in footage played in court, TV presenter Reggie Yates could be heard saying: "If people are saying we're inciting it, then maybe we should call it a night."
From BBC ● Jul. 5, 2026
The inciting accident itself closely mirrors the Chappaquiddick incident.
From Salon ● Jul. 4, 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
She didn’t want to risk waking the old woman fully and inciting her anger, but Ophie desperately needed to know more about Clara, and this might be her only opportunity.
From "Ophie's Ghosts" by Justina Ireland
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.
