incur

[in-kur]

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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.

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 for incur

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2. arouse, incite, provoke.

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

Related Words for incurring

acquire, earn, provoke, arouse, obtain, draw, get, induce, contract, gain, catch

Examples from the Web for incurring

Contemporary Examples of incurring

I shirked duty in pursuit of a good sleep, incurring her wrath this morning.
Is Sleeping Apart Good for Your Relationship?
Tim Teeman
August 20, 2014
Were you afraid of incurring the wrath of the critics when it was produced?
The Haunted Stage: Conor McPherson on His Plays
Ronald K. Fried
January 20, 2014
Incurring the wrath of the nihilists early, he feinted right.
The Forgotten Russian: The Genius of Nikolai Leskov
Benjamin Lytal
April 10, 2013
The CPA candidate was found to have filed her taxes late three times since 2003, incurring more than $4,500 in fines.
A GOP Star Falters
John Avlon
October 16, 2010

Historical Examples of incurring

Then I proceeded to say: Well, but are you aware of the danger which you are incurring?
Protagoras
Plato
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.
The Promised Land
Mary Antin
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.
A History of English Literature
George Saintsbury

British Dictionary definitions for incurring

incur

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 incurring

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.