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incur

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

Synonyms

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2. arouse, incite, provoke.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for incurring

Contemporary Examples

Historical Examples

  • Then I proceeded to say: Well, but are you aware of the danger which you are incurring?

  • For who will be selling me a boat and incurring the penalties in Governor Steed's proclamation?

    Captain Blood

    Rafael Sabatini

  • He became lax in his attendance at the synagogue, incurring the reproach of the family.

  • I am agitated by the danger that your majesty is incurring here.

    The Queen's Necklace

    Alexandre Dumas pre

  • Albion's England is in no danger of incurring that sentence.

British Dictionary definitions for incurring

incur

verb -curs, -curring or -curred (tr)
  1. to make oneself subject to (something undesirable); bring upon oneself
  2. to run into or encounter
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Derived Formsincurrable, adjective

Word Origin

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 incurring

incur

v.

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.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper