incur

[ in-kur ]

verb (used with object)

, in·curred, in·cur·ring.

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

/ ɪnˈkɜː /

verb

1. to make oneself subject to (something undesirable); bring upon oneself
2. to run into or encounter

Derived Forms

• inˈcurrable, adjective

Other Words From

• in·cur·ra·ble adjective
• re·in·cur verb (used with object) reincurred reincurring

Word History and Origins

Origin of incur¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of incur¹

C16: from Latin incurrere to run into, from currere to run

Example Sentences

Keep in mind that if you’re on a losing streak, you can incur substantial losses.

From Washington Blade

On top of using genetically engineered cells to diagnose, Goldhawk foresees that cells containing reporter genes could, for instance, eventually fight infections without using antibiotics and incurring the wrath of antibiotic resistance.

From Popular-Science

“Some households that have incurred debt through high-interest credit cards or payday loans to keep up with rent can’t qualify for emergency rental assistance because they don’t have past due rent,” Srikrishnan writes.

From Voice of San Diego

Some households that have incurred debt through high-interest credit cards or payday loans to keep up with rent can’t qualify for emergency rental assistance because they don’t have past due rent.

From Voice of San Diego

Though the federal government would have to incur $126 billion in costs at the outset to process new green card applications, the provisions would carry massive economic benefits.

From Vox

They incur all the development costs and take a lot of risk.

From The Daily Beast

The result has been a huge black eye for the government, which will now incur significant financial and reputation costs.

From The Daily Beast

My mother might be willing to incur all kinds of crazy risks for love.

From The Daily Beast

The full debt—or savings depletion—that families incur; not just student debt.

From The Daily Beast

The hope is that members end up restraining each other rather than incur the wrath of the police.

From The Daily Beast

She preferred to die herself rather than to incur the possibility of exposing those who loved her to the guillotine.

From Project Gutenberg

Yet it is awkward for these officials to thus act, and in so doing they incur an unpleasant personal responsibility.

From Project Gutenberg

The stage has continued to enjoy a species of traditional immunity from all the reprobation which swearing is presumed to incur.

From Project Gutenberg

He was generally a man of prompt decision, and he well knew that he would incur by this act the charge of vacillation.

From Project Gutenberg

I judged the Tories were driving straight at a conflict with the country, and I thought them bound to incur an electoral defeat.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• acquire
• arouse
• earn
• obtain
• provoke