incite

/ɪnˈsaɪt/ formal

Say it: in-SYTE

verb To encourage or stir up violent, unlawful, or other undesirable behavior in others.
The speaker's fiery rhetoric was intended to incite the crowd to riot.

📖 Seen in the wild

The speaker was accused of trying to incite a riot with his inflammatory remarks.
collected by @vocablast

✏️ incite in a sentence

The politician was accused of inciting violence with his inflammatory speech.
It is a criminal offense to incite racial hatred.
His pamphlets were seen as an attempt to incite rebellion against the crown.
His constant complaints about management seemed designed to incite discontent among the staff.
The article was carefully worded to inform readers without inciting panic.
The coach's halftime speech did more to incite frustration than to inspire a comeback.
Online platforms are struggling with how to handle content that incites hatred.

🔁 Synonyms & antonyms

provoke foment instigate abet goad rouse agitate trigger

provoke · implies goading someone into an immediate, often angry, reaction.

foment · suggests a more gradual and secretive stirring up of trouble or discontent.

instigate · emphasizes being the one who starts or initiates the trouble, often with a clear plan.

abet · specifically means to encourage or assist someone in committing a crime.

Opposites: dissuade, deter, pacify, suppress, discourage

🌱 Where it comes from

The word 'incite' comes to us from the Latin 'incitare', meaning 'to set in motion' or 'to urge on'. It's a combination of 'in-', meaning 'into' or 'upon', and 'citare', meaning 'to rouse or call'. This original sense of rousing someone to action has narrowed over time to its modern, more sinister meaning of provoking specifically harmful or unlawful acts.

🧩 How it's used

Common patterns:

incite violenceincite a riotincite hatredincite rebellionincite a crowdincite panic

'Incite' carries a strong and serious negative connotation. It is almost always used in the context of provoking bad behavior, such as violence, hatred, or rebellion. Because of this, it is a word with significant legal weight, as in the crime of 'incitement to violence'. Avoid using it for positive or neutral actions; you 'inspire' hope or 'encourage' a friend, you don't 'incite' them to do good.

Word family: incitement, inciter

💬 Quick answers

What does it mean to incite someone?

To incite someone means to deliberately encourage or stir them up to do something violent, illegal, or harmful. It's about provoking others into negative action.

What is the difference between incite and instigate?

Incite focuses on stirring up emotions and urging a group to action, often chaotically. Instigate is more about being the person who initiates or sets a plan in motion, like instigating an investigation or a feud.

Is 'incite' a negative word?

Yes, 'incite' has a very strong negative connotation. It is almost exclusively used to describe the act of provoking undesirable outcomes like riots, violence, or hatred.

Can you incite something positive?

While technically possible in a very broad sense of 'stirring to action,' it is extremely rare and would sound unusual. Words like 'inspire,' 'encourage,' or 'motivate' are used for positive actions.

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