incur

[ in-kur ]

/ ɪnˈkɜr /

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verb (used with object), in·curred, in·cur·ring.

to come into or acquire (some consequence, usually undesirable or injurious): to incur a huge number of debts.

to become liable or subject to through one's own action; bring or take upon oneself: to incur his displeasure.

Nearby words

Origin of incur

1400–50; late Middle English < Latin incurrere to run into, come upon, equivalent to in- in-² + currere to run; see current

SYNONYMS FOR incur

2. arouse, incite, provoke.

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Related formsin·cur·ra·ble, adjectivere·in·cur, verb (used with object), re·in·curred, re·in·cur·ring.self-in·curred, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for incur

They incur all the development costs and take a lot of risk.
From the Model T to the Model S|The Daily Beast|September 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
My mother might be willing to incur all kinds of crazy risks for love.
My Eulogy for My Father, Murray Frum|David Frum|May 31, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The hope is that members end up restraining each other rather than incur the wrath of the police.
Never Mind El Chapo: Chicago’s Real Public Enemy No. 1 Is the Shorties|Michael Daly|February 17, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Already the clinic will incur extra cost to gain an ambulatory-surgery-facility license.
In Wichita, the Ground Zero of the Abortion War, a New Clinic Rises|Allison Yarrow|January 25, 2013|DAILY BEAST

I estimate that for around 80% of current law students their degrees won't be worth the costs they incur in getting them.
The Perils of Law School|Megan McArdle|September 24, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Our tactics should therefore be such as to force the submarine to incur this danger in order to get within range of merchantmen.
The Victory At Sea|William Sowden Sims
Deep treasure in your hearts An honest shame, and, fighting bravely, fear680 Each to incur the censure of the rest.
The Iliad of Homer|Homer
They wanted to be told how one could perform the feat, but dreaded to incur a too-wordy exposition.
The Wrong Twin|Harry Leon Wilson
Those who publicly express that opinion, incur a very grave responsibility.
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Volume 56, Number 349, November, 1844|Various
We felt that to stir, was to incur the hazard of an unknown, unguessed-at danger.
The Wonderful Story of Ravalette|Paschal Beverly Randolph

British Dictionary definitions for incur

incur

/ (ɪnˈkɜː) /

verb -curs, -curring or -curred (tr)

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

to run into or encounter

Derived Formsincurrable, adjective

Word Origin for incur

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for incur

incur

early 15c., from Anglo-French encurir, Middle French encourir, from Latin incurrere "run into or against, rush at, make an attack;" figuratively, "to befall, happen, occur to," from in- "upon" (see in- (2)) + currere "to run" (see current (adj.)). Related: Incurred; incurring.

incur

verb (used with object), in·curred, in·cur·ring.

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Nearby words

Origin of incur

Examples from the Web for incur

incur

verb -curs, -curring or -curred (tr)

Word Origin for incur

incur