MEANING
To urge or provoke someone into action, especially anger, disorder, or violence.
Use it for
Show how words or events kindle collective action.Trigger a volatile response or urge people toward action.
Words that belong together
- incite a crowd
- incite violence
- incite a reaction
On the page
One careless accusation could incite panic in the crowded hall.
Nearby words
Opposite meanings
Word forms
- Base
- incite
- Past tense
- incited
- Past participle
- incited
- Present participle
- inciting
Full tense & aspect guide
- Present
- incite
- Present continuous
- am/is/are inciting
- Present perfect
- have/has incited
- Present perfect continuous
- have/has been inciting
- Past
- incited
- Past continuous
- was/were inciting
- Past perfect
- had incited
- Past perfect continuous
- had been inciting
- Future
- will incite
- Future continuous
- will be inciting
- Future perfect
- will have incited
- Future perfect continuous
- will have been inciting
Choose the auxiliary that agrees with your subject. These are constructions of one word, not separate entries.
Usage notes
Often carries a negative or inflammatory implication; distinguish it from merely inspiring someone.
Practice this word in a sentenceYour margin notes
Keep a thought for later. Sign in to save privately.