The speaker tried to incite the people to rebellion.
Source: tatoeba (25918)
Incite
/ɪnˈsaɪt/
Synonyms for "incite" (214 found)
Ranked by relevance and common usage.
Closest matches (43)
Strong matches (64)
Related words (107)
Verb(34 words)
interestissue a caveatkey upkindlelather uplight the fuselight upmaddenmotivatemovenettleoverexcitepersuadepickpiquepowerpreachprickprodprompt
Show 41 more words
propelprovokepushput in motionput up torallyremonstrateriserouseset agoingset astirset fire toset goingset in motionset onset on firesic onspursteam upstimulatestirstir the bloodstir the embersstir the feelingsstir upsummon upthrusttickleturn onurgewakewake upwakenwarmwarm the bloodwarnwhetwhip onwhip upwork intowork up
Noun(11 words)
Adjective(1 words)
persuasive prompt
Choosing the right synonym
- Closest matches in this entry: egg on, instigate, prompt, actuate, evoke.
- Sentence evidence is available for incite, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
- Ranking signals come from wiktionary, wordnet, opengloss, moby, and related lexical sources.
Synonym selection checklist
- Match the part of speech before comparing meanings.
- Check whether the synonym changes intensity, formality, or emotional tone.
- Read the replacement inside the full sentence, not just beside "incite".
- Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.
When not to replace "incite"
Keep "incite" when the sentence already sounds natural, when a synonym would add unintended emphasis, or when readers need the most familiar wording. A synonym should clarify or sharpen the message, not simply make the sentence look more varied.
If two options seem close, choose the one that best matches the audience and purpose of the sentence.
Replacement workflow
1. Preserve meaning
Choose a synonym only if it keeps the core idea of "incite" intact in the sentence you are editing.
2. Tune tone
Check whether the replacement sounds more formal, casual, emotional, technical, or forceful than the original word.
3. Re-read context
Read the full sentence after the swap. Keep the synonym only when the sentence becomes clearer or more precise.
Review note: Synonym lists are ranked with lexical data and reviewed for practical writing value. Use the comparison notes, sentence evidence, and source labels together; a high-ranking synonym can still be wrong when the audience, register, or grammar changes.
Final fit check
After choosing a replacement for "incite", read the sentence once for meaning and once for rhythm. The best synonym should feel natural in the full sentence, not only accurate in a word list.
If the synonym makes the sentence slower, vaguer, or more dramatic than intended, keep "incite" or choose a simpler alternative from the closest-match group.
Related word relations
OpenGloss and ConceptNet supply richer edges like generalizations, collocations, and derivations.
More general
8 entriesMore specific
9 entriesegg on mobincite angerincite curiosityincite fearinstigate reforminstigate violenceprecipitate changestir up troubletrigger policy shift
Collocations
6 entriesincite a riotincite angerincite crimeincite hatredincite public opinionincite violence
Inflections
3 entriesDerivations
2 entriessimilar
4 entriesSample sentences
14 total sentences available.
Tom used to be socially anxious because he couldn't find anyone who would understand and share his devotion to stoats; however, everything changed when he learned to incite passion for stoats in others with the use of just a few carefully designed phrases.
Source: tatoeba (4465556)
Many aspects of Christianity are designed to incite hatred and violence, such as the claim that Jews cried out in unison, "His blood be on us and our children!"
Source: tatoeba (10540835)
He however says the government will not condone pronouncements that incite violence and chaos.
Source: tatoeba (10995429)
Showing 4 of 14 available sentences.
Common questions
What are the closest synonyms for "incite"?
Closest matches include egg on, instigate, prompt, actuate, evoke.
How should I check whether a synonym fits "incite"?
Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.