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 Just people brought in to incite chaos. Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 21 Oct. 2025 This is the kind of rhetoric that incites violence. Marni Rose McFall, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025 Earlier this year, the Parenthood alum incited anger for sharing a NSFW post of Bell doing nude yoga to celebrate the news of her Nobody Wants This Emmy nomination. Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 20 Oct. 2025 Although Odinga was never accused of inciting violence, others — including future presidents Ruto and Uhuru Kenyatta — were. CNN Money, 15 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for incite
Recent Examples of Synonyms for incite
Verb
  • Mercury in Sagittarius provokes your mind to venture into uncharted territory.
    USA TODAY, USA Today, 29 Oct. 2025
  • His art form is chaos, and the unrestrained fear that chaos can provoke.
    The Atlantic Culture Desk, The Atlantic, 29 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Ultimately, the moment encouraged the Soviet population to agitate for household comforts.
    Justin Worland, Time, 24 Oct. 2025
  • Building a bat house can encourage them to stick around a little longer and eat up all those pesky insects.
    Kirsten Fiscus, Nashville Tennessean, 24 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Plus, men don’t have the hormonal surges of prolactin that stimulate milk production in women.
    Dr. Jamin Brahmbhatt, CNN Money, 26 Oct. 2025
  • Bank stocks are rallying today on expectations that lower interest rates will help stimulate economic activity.
    Jeff Marks, CNBC, 24 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Incite.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/incite. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on incite

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