incur

[in-kur]

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

/ 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)

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

Making bulk wine comes with its own risks: It requires a winemaker to incur extra costs without the guarantee it’ll find a buyer, and profit margins can be thin.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“The United States has made a demand on SCE for payment of the costs and damages incurred by the United States to suppress the Saddleridge Fire and to undertake emergency rehabilitation efforts,” the complaint said.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“We anticipate that we will continue to incur losses, and expect that we will not generate revenue, for the foreseeable future,” the company said in a regulatory filing.

Read more on Barron's

Caroline Clapper, who sits on both Hertfordshire County and Hertsmere Borough councils, said a by-election would incur "a significant and unnecessary cost to the taxpayer".

Read more on BBC

The lawsuit alleges social media platforms caused a youth mental-health crisis, seeking company payments for related costs incurred by the city.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• acquire 
• arouse 
• earn 
• obtain 
• provoke