INCITED Synonyms: 101 Similar and Opposite Words

incited

verb

past tense of incite

as in provoked

to bring (something volatile or intense) into being the rock band's failure to show up incited a riot, as the crowd had waited for hours

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in encouraged

to rouse to strong feeling or action the demagogue's fiery rant incited the crowd to riot

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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 incited Prosecutors allege the three journalists incited the suppression of student demonstrators during the uprising. — ABC News, 24 Aug. 2026 His death-stare look and arm-claw mound demeanor incited a certain fear that was backed up by results. — Sam Blum, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026 The trade war incited a wave of rerouting goods through third-party countries, as well as led to companies under-reporting the value of goods or mislabeling products as alternative goods not subject to as high of import taxes. — Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 14 Aug. 2026 But during his visit, the fifth in line to the British throne incited more controversy by lashing out publicly after a High Court judge delivered a devastating ruling in his lawsuit against the Daily Mail. — Martha Ross, Mercury News, 28 July 2026 The incident and imagery of it ignited weeks of emotional discourse by fans and pundits across the media landscape, and often incited racial debates. — Jackson Thompson Outkick, FOXNews.com, 25 July 2026 And they’re essentially being incited to misbehave, or do something that is unlawful. — Natalie Krebs, Outdoor Life, 16 July 2026 Whatever its international echoes, the exhibition incited local responses by far-right entities. — Ara H. Merjian, ARTnews.com, 10 July 2026 Another wrinkle of the law has incited ample speculation about Marshall, Kansas’ junior Republican senator, who is facing his first reelection bid this fall. — Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 2 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for incited

Verb

The comment at a rally last Sunday titillated, provoked and enraged different audiences simultaneously, all but guaranteeing saturation news coverage and even more attention.

— Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 19 Aug. 2026
The incidents had provoked international scrutiny of the country’s assault on Gaza.

— Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of provoked

Verb

When government applies the rules consistently, businesses have the confidence to invest, innovation is encouraged, public institutions earn greater trust and the public benefits.

— Robin Rossenfeld, Denver Post, 28 Aug. 2026
Anyone with information on the collision is encouraged to contact Officer Giovanni Zaino of the Middletown Police Patrol Division at 860-638-4000, ext 6323.

— Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of encouraged

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incite

incited

incitement

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“Incited.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/incited. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of incited

verb

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