as in provocative
serving or likely to arouse a strong reaction a deliberately inciting comment questioning someone's manhood started the brawl
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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
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2
as in encouraging
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 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
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 She was imprisoned in Salimgarh Fort (a part of Red Fort) in Delhi by her father for more than 20 years for inciting her brother, Muhammad Akbar, to commit treason. —Tamanna Nangia, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026 Egypt outlawed the movement in 2013, accusing it of inciting unrest and undermining state institutions. —Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 1 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
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 She was imprisoned in Salimgarh Fort (a part of Red Fort) in Delhi by her father for more than 20 years for inciting her brother, Muhammad Akbar, to commit treason. —Tamanna Nangia, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026 Egypt outlawed the movement in 2013, accusing it of inciting unrest and undermining state institutions. —Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 1 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inciting
Adjective
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That clear reference to a certain occupant of the White House and his political movement is by no means McKenzie’s most provocative statement on matters of urgent relevance.— Matthew Carey, Deadline, 16 Apr. 2026
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This is the 11th anniversary of this often provocative and consistently pleasing festival, with films screening from April 24 to May 3 at the Davis Theater and Gene Siskel Film Center, and it is embellished by something new.— Rick Kogan, Chicago Tribune, 15 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Chris Young’s Beyond Earth column explores the intersection of space technology and policy, providing thought-provoking commentary on the latest advancements and regulatory developments in the sector.— Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 15 Apr. 2026
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The company’s failure to repay billions of dollars of wealth management products unleashed frustration among the lower and middle classes, many of whom had investments wiped out, provoking protests and threatening social stability.— Reuters, NBC news, 14 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Between parking restrictions and road closures, Boston is encouraging Marathon Monday visitors to walk, bike, take the T — anything but drive — to watch the runners or attend the day’s festivities.— Colleen Cronin, Boston Herald, 20 Apr. 2026
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The five-star analyst added that growing demand in scale-up networking is giving confidence in continued strength in future earnings, encouraging investors to look beyond 2027 and factor in these opportunities.— TipRanks.com Staff, CNBC, 19 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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At a charged political moment, her relatively sober look seemed intended to keep the focus on POTUS.— Vogue, Vogue, 12 Dec. 2025
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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.grautoblog.com/thesaurus/inciting. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.
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