1
as in excitement
something that arouses a strong response from another
the insulting remark was all the incitement that was needed for a fight to break out
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in incentive
something that arouses action or activity
the approaching deadline was certainly an incitement to get going on the assignment
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of incitement
By conflating antiauthoritarian arguments with incitement, conservatives are making the same error but following it to the opposite conclusion.
—
Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 28 Apr. 2026
This is the most gaping vacancy of all—Trump gestures toward two American incitements, one historic, one extremely recent.
—Fintan O’Toole, The New York Review of Books, 9 Apr. 2026
Courts have found that true threats and the incitement of lawlessness are outside the reach of First Amendment protection.
—Cate Charron, IndyStar, 13 Mar. 2026
Laws against stalking, conspiracy and incitement are on the books, and the new statute also allows officials to use campaign funds for personal and home security upgrades.
—Jack O'Connor, Chicago Tribune, 26 Jan. 2026
Some on the right accused Frey of incitement over his remarks.
—Eric Lutz, Vanity Fair, 8 Jan. 2026
According to the diplomatic source, online jihadist ecosystems play a central role in accelerating this dynamic, rapidly turning incitement into action.
—Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 15 Dec. 2025
Zuma-Sambudla already faces separate charges of incitement to commit terrorism and public violence, according to prosecutors, for allegedly inciting violence on social media during riots that resulted in more than 300 deaths following her father’s imprisonment for contempt of court charges in 2021.
—Nimi Princewill, CNN Money, 5 Dec. 2025
Contesting the reality or genocidal nature of Nazi crimes can be prosecuted as a crime, alongside other forms of incitement to racial hatred.
—Thomas Adamson, Fortune, 21 Nov. 2025
Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 28 Apr. 2026
This is the most gaping vacancy of all—Trump gestures toward two American incitements, one historic, one extremely recent.
—Fintan O’Toole, The New York Review of Books, 9 Apr. 2026
Courts have found that true threats and the incitement of lawlessness are outside the reach of First Amendment protection.
—Cate Charron, IndyStar, 13 Mar. 2026
Laws against stalking, conspiracy and incitement are on the books, and the new statute also allows officials to use campaign funds for personal and home security upgrades.
—Jack O'Connor, Chicago Tribune, 26 Jan. 2026
Some on the right accused Frey of incitement over his remarks.
—Eric Lutz, Vanity Fair, 8 Jan. 2026
According to the diplomatic source, online jihadist ecosystems play a central role in accelerating this dynamic, rapidly turning incitement into action.
—Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 15 Dec. 2025
Zuma-Sambudla already faces separate charges of incitement to commit terrorism and public violence, according to prosecutors, for allegedly inciting violence on social media during riots that resulted in more than 300 deaths following her father’s imprisonment for contempt of court charges in 2021.
—Nimi Princewill, CNN Money, 5 Dec. 2025
Contesting the reality or genocidal nature of Nazi crimes can be prosecuted as a crime, alongside other forms of incitement to racial hatred.
—Thomas Adamson, Fortune, 21 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for incitement
Noun
-
As members of the Titans Elite team walked off the basketball court after the last game of the March super regional tournament, their excitement was evident.—
Amy Stark Shireman,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
30 Apr. 2026
-
May-Tove Smiseth, an archaeologist and adviser on the Innlandet County Council, said the treasure has drummed up excitement in the archaeological community.—
Emily Mae Czachor,
CBS News,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
There are no performance incentive payments or cost-of-living increase for senior leadership in the current fiscal year, according to a budget overview, and no incentive payments for anyone in the coming fiscal year starting July 1.—
Michael Smolens,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
-
In 2022, Massachusetts became the first state in the country to adopt an equity performance incentive, explicitly holding the system accountable for reaching low-income households, renters, and communities of color.—
Ed Gaskin,
Boston Herald,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
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In the aftermath, Pollard’s inbox filled with criticisms, encouragement and recommendations.—
Daniel Libit,
Sportico.com,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Arizona’s rapid low-density residential development sprawl is driven by its rabid encouragement of ever more population growth.—
DP Opinion,
Denver Post,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The freebie was the likely impetus for the big increase in attendance, but Murakami’s slugging surely convinced some fans to come check out the scene on the South Side on a sunny but cool afternoon.—
Paul Sullivan,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Apr. 2026
-
After a brief interruption due to bad light, Josh Clarkson's late impetus guided New Zealand to a challenging total.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Beginning with the stimulus of a cup or two of strong coffee, fifteen-year-old Columbia College sophomore George Templeton Strong started a diary in 1835.—
Matthew Wills,
JSTOR Daily,
27 Apr. 2026
-
The project aims to produce materials that change their mechanical properties and shape in response to external light stimuli.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Most Sunday mornings, Charles Woods doesn’t need much motivation for his weekly 40-mile bike ride.—
Isabel Rivera,
Miami Herald,
1 May 2026
-
Asking a musician about their influences can elicit a boiler plate response revealing little about their mindset and motivations.—
Andrew Gilbert,
Mercury News,
1 May 2026
Noun
-
Together, Venus and Pluto create a blend of seductive charm, substance and intellectual stimulation.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Wiseman hypothesized that stronger magnetic fields may affect the brain, similar to how electrical stimulation of the angular gyrus can make one feel as if there is another person standing behind, mimicking one’s movements.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Incitement.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/incitement. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
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