incite

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb incite contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of incite are abet, foment, and instigate. While all these words mean "to spur to action," incite stresses a stirring up and urging on, and may or may not imply initiating.

inciting a riot

When could abet be used to replace incite?

In some situations, the words abet and incite are roughly equivalent. However, abet implies both assisting and encouraging.

aiding and abetting the enemy

When would foment be a good substitute for incite?

The meanings of foment and incite largely overlap; however, foment implies persistence in goading.

fomenting rebellion

Where would instigate be a reasonable alternative to incite?

While in some cases nearly identical to incite, instigate definitely implies responsibility for initiating another's action and often connotes underhandedness or evil intention.

instigated a conspiracy

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of incite Individuals with covered heads and faces targeting, menacing, and inciting. Marc Morial, New York Daily News, 29 Mar. 2025 Even minor sparks or drifting embers can incite nearby foliage or grass, setting off a rapidly spreading fire. Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 28 Mar. 2025 Some groups pushing for deportations say their focus is on students whose actions go beyond marching in protests, to those taking over campus buildings and inciting violence against Jewish students. Adam Geller, Chicago Tribune, 29 Mar. 2025 It has been banned on numerous occasions due to accusations of inciting violence, most recently in 2024. Shamim Chowdhury, NPR, 27 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for incite
Recent Examples of Synonyms for incite
Verb
  • Brit, still processing, clocks that Kenya was angling for a full-on meltdown, trying to provoke her into playing the aggressor.
    Shelby Stewart, Essence, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Tariffs essentially act as an indirect tax on consumers, provoke retaliatory measures, drive inflation higher, and destabilize financial markets.
    Christian Catalini, Forbes.com, 11 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The goal of the tax subsidies was to encourage more Americans to save for retirement.
    Daniel de Visé, USA Today, 20 Apr. 2025
  • For example, a VP of sales looking at declining numbers could stop themselves from commanding their team to call an additional 50 leads by the end of week and instead encourage their sales team to be more proactive.
    Michelle Stansbury, Forbes.com, 19 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The importance of daylight The infrared light found in daylight can modulate inflammation, stimulate collagen production, prevent neurodegeneration, and even optimize mitochondria, which produce energy inside our cells.
    Ana Morales, Vogue, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Greece started its golden visa program in 2013 to stabilize housing prices and stimulate growth in a country facing a recession, skyrocketing unemployment, and austerity measures imposed by international lenders.
    Meehika Barua, HubSpot, 18 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Incite.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/incite. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on incite

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