Definitions

incite

[in-sahyt] / ɪnˈsaɪt /

VERB

encourage, provoke

Synonyms

STRONGEST

abet agitate arouse encourage exhort foment inflame inspire instigate motivate prompt provoke rouse set off spur trigger urge whip up

STRONG

activate actuate animate coax craze drive excite force forward further goad impel induce influence inspirit persuade prick promote push raise set solicit stimulate taunt

WEAK

egg on fan the fire get to juice key up psych put up to stir up talk into work up

Antonyms

STRONGEST

block calm dampen depress deter discourage dissuade halt lull prevent quiet soothe stop tranquilize

STRONG

cease check deaden delay finish hinder impede repress suppress

WEAK

prohibit

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

She said it was infuriating that those opposed to rodeos would try to incite fear.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 9, 2026

The opportunity to actually engage with the multitude of conditions that may incite that violence feels unique and desperately needed.

From Salon • Apr. 9, 2026

Someone ordered an Irish whiskey and didn’t incite a diplomatic incident.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 16, 2026

French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said in a post on X that France's "rule of law is non-negotiable; actions that are violent in nature or incite hatred have no place on our territory".

From BBC • Jan. 14, 2026

I have thought that my family, having settled among immigrants who had also been their neighbors in the ancestral land, needed to clean their name, and a wrong word would incite the kinspeople even here.

From "The Woman Warrior" by Maxine Hong Kingston

Vocabulary lists containing incite

Fahrenheit 451

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Some Tricky Homonyms

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Speak

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