INCITES Synonyms: 100 Similar and Opposite Words

incites

verb

present tense third-person singular of incite

as in provokes

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 encourages

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

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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 incites Every day, there’s seemingly some new report or rumor that incites the social media machine. — Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 22 July 2026 The rule will also apply to any team official who incites players to leave the field of play in protest. — Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 3 June 2026 The catalyst of all the tragedy that Bear incites is the One Wish Willow, a kitschy antique toy that promises to grant one (literal) wish for whoever snaps it in half. — Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 14 May 2026 Uranus moving into Gemini incites restlessness with conventional routine. — Usa Today, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2026 Critics say the former demands the elimination of the Israeli state – from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea – and incites violence against Jewish people. — Cnn.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 25 Apr. 2026 The phrase either inspires excitement or incites fear among adults who are lucky enough to still have their parents and siblings around and still want to hang out with them. — Sarah James, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Mar. 2026 January 20 – February 18 When tension incites change, your presence can be a guiding light. — Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 16 Mar. 2026 Renaud hopes that the 37-minute HBO doc incites change. — Addie Morfoot, Variety, 28 Feb. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for incites

Verb

Now, new research reveals this kind of high-intensity training provokes a remarkably robust response throughout the bloodstream.

— Will Stone, NPR, 24 Aug. 2026
The film starts in nature, and the whole experience provokes ideas and inspires something closer to poetry than nostalgia.

— Jesse Kirshbaum, SPIN, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of provokes

Verb

The essence has a high concentration of PDRN, which promotes cellular repair and collagen production, plus niacinamide and copper peptides to leave your skin firmer and smoother.

— Essence Wiley, InStyle, 26 Aug. 2026
These include blocks on nighttime use, daily time limits and stronger content controls to guard against bullying and content that promotes eating disorders.

— Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of promotes

Verb

Stronger trade winds help to move warm surface water away from the South American coast, which stimulates upwelling—that is, the movement of cold, dense, and nutrient-rich deep ocean water toward the surface.

— John P. Rafferty, Encyclopedia Britannica, 21 Aug. 2026
That extra load stimulates bones to grow denser and challenges muscles to adapt.

— Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of stimulates

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incites

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

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Synonyms of incites

verb

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