as in provocative
serving or likely to arouse a strong reaction
a deliberately inciting comment questioning someone's manhood started the brawl
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in provoking
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in encouraging
to rouse to strong feeling or action
the demagogue's fiery rant incited the crowd to riot
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of inciting
Ryan Brennan
april 16, Miami Herald, 16 Apr. 2026
While one of the inciting events for establishing the Code of Credits happened to be a crowd of producers onstage at the Oscars, the goal never was to exclude anyone from the profession.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 24 Mar. 2026
Atwood told Wertheim there were several ways into the story, but an inciting event came in 1981, just after former President Ronald Reagan was elected for the office.
—Will Croxton, CBS News, 9 Feb. 2026
That incident, which inspired the inciting moment of season two’s premiere, led Lee to think about how different generations approach love and relationships.
—Rebecca Ford, Vanity Fair, 21 Jan. 2026
The inciting moment, April explains, was Noelle’s fourth-grade school art show.
—Ruth Madievsky, The Atlantic, 21 Jan. 2026
That’s the inciting incident of the new Paramount+ series Little Disasters, based on the Sarah Vaughan novel of the same name.
—Barry Levitt, Time, 12 Dec. 2025
That’s a solid dramatic question, but one that might’ve been more productive as an inciting incident, as too much of this low-budget drama shuffles around subjects that demand incisive action in 2025, effectively creating a subtle irony that undermines the film’s own point.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 4 Nov. 2025
There's a naivety and sweetness to them that's ripped away in an instant when the two passionately make love in the barren house, the inciting incident for the demise of their relationship.
—Billie Melissa, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
ABC News, 26 Apr. 2026
Friday, police also arrested a 21-year-old woman on a felony charge of inciting to riot.
—Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 25 Apr. 2026
Matching the high-wire tempo of the first season’s inciting fender bender, this opening sets up the theme of the season.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 16 Apr. 2026
But what’s a rom-com without some inciting shenanigans?
—Adam Graham, Twin Cities, 16 Apr. 2026
The Moon in your sensitive 8th house is squaring Venus in your aspirational 11th house, potentially inciting irritation at the intersection of individual privacy and group plans.
—Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 12 Apr. 2026
In the meantime, preliminary reports suggest that rain played a role in inciting chaos at the entrance of the fortress, after which 13 bodies were recovered at the tourist destination while another 17 were taken to a nearby hospital.
—Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 12 Apr. 2026
South Seas, which reportedly spent $45 million on the deal, announced the sale on March 31, inciting the dismay of many in the local community who wanted to see the artist’s property historically preserved.
—News Desk, Artforum, 7 Apr. 2026
He was also suspended from X that year for violating its rules on inciting violence, but had his account reactivated in 2023.
—Amarachi Orie, CNN Money, 6 Apr. 2026
Adjective
The inciting moment comes when Austin and Ashley witness a violent argument between Josh and Lindsay.
—Ryan Brennan
april 16, Miami Herald, 16 Apr. 2026
While one of the inciting events for establishing the Code of Credits happened to be a crowd of producers onstage at the Oscars, the goal never was to exclude anyone from the profession.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 24 Mar. 2026
Atwood told Wertheim there were several ways into the story, but an inciting event came in 1981, just after former President Ronald Reagan was elected for the office.
—Will Croxton, CBS News, 9 Feb. 2026
That incident, which inspired the inciting moment of season two’s premiere, led Lee to think about how different generations approach love and relationships.
—Rebecca Ford, Vanity Fair, 21 Jan. 2026
The inciting moment, April explains, was Noelle’s fourth-grade school art show.
—Ruth Madievsky, The Atlantic, 21 Jan. 2026
That’s the inciting incident of the new Paramount+ series Little Disasters, based on the Sarah Vaughan novel of the same name.
—Barry Levitt, Time, 12 Dec. 2025
That’s a solid dramatic question, but one that might’ve been more productive as an inciting incident, as too much of this low-budget drama shuffles around subjects that demand incisive action in 2025, effectively creating a subtle irony that undermines the film’s own point.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 4 Nov. 2025
There's a naivety and sweetness to them that's ripped away in an instant when the two passionately make love in the barren house, the inciting incident for the demise of their relationship.
—Billie Melissa, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
Verb
That's placed there by terrorist groups, foreign intelligence services and others, specifically for the purposes of inspiring and inciting violence.
—ABC News, 26 Apr. 2026
Friday, police also arrested a 21-year-old woman on a felony charge of inciting to riot.
—Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 25 Apr. 2026
Matching the high-wire tempo of the first season’s inciting fender bender, this opening sets up the theme of the season.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 16 Apr. 2026
But what’s a rom-com without some inciting shenanigans?
—Adam Graham, Twin Cities, 16 Apr. 2026
The Moon in your sensitive 8th house is squaring Venus in your aspirational 11th house, potentially inciting irritation at the intersection of individual privacy and group plans.
—Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 12 Apr. 2026
In the meantime, preliminary reports suggest that rain played a role in inciting chaos at the entrance of the fortress, after which 13 bodies were recovered at the tourist destination while another 17 were taken to a nearby hospital.
—Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 12 Apr. 2026
South Seas, which reportedly spent $45 million on the deal, announced the sale on March 31, inciting the dismay of many in the local community who wanted to see the artist’s property historically preserved.
—News Desk, Artforum, 7 Apr. 2026
He was also suspended from X that year for violating its rules on inciting violence, but had his account reactivated in 2023.
—Amarachi Orie, CNN Money, 6 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inciting
Adjective
-
Beyond the series’ provocative premise, its most resonant moments belong to Harbour.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
23 Apr. 2026
-
There was already this sort of more classical literary style and these more ornate sentences that are doing three different things at once, and some of the playfulness and the provocative and the prurient and the spiritual kind of call to care for the least of the people.—
Peter Larsen,
Oc Register,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The films below offer up thought-provoking answers, but not all of them are bullish on humanity’s chances.—
Keith Phipps,
Vulture,
23 Apr. 2026
-
On a brighter note, under this thought-provoking transit, networking can become surprisingly fruitful.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The state has tried to get upstream from abuse and neglect, raising awareness of resources and encouraging the general community to support families, said Thomas Miller, director of children, aging and community services at the Colorado Department of Human Services.—
Meg Wingerter,
Denver Post,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Parents and pediatricians can advocate for child pedestrian safety by supporting and encouraging community programs with resources offered through organizations such as Safe Routes to School.—
Dr. Phyllis Agran,
Boston Herald,
26 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
At a charged political moment, her relatively sober look seemed intended to keep the focus on POTUS.—
Vogue,
Vogue,
12 Dec. 2025
-
What Happens Next Greene is likely to continue stoking controversy by breaking with her party, as conversations around immigration remain charged and divisive.—
Alia Shoaib,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Inciting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inciting. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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