incense
1 of 3noun
in·cense ˈin-ˌsen(t)s 
1
: material used to produce a fragrant odor when burned
2
: the perfume exhaled from some spices and gums when burned
broadly : a pleasing scent
3
: pleasing attention : flattery
incense
2 of 3verb (1)
in·cense ˈin-ˌsen(t)s
incensed; incensing
transitive verb
1
: to apply or offer incense to
2
: to perfume with incense
incense
3 of 3verb (2)
in·cense in-ˈsen(t)s
incensed; incensing
transitive verb
1
: to arouse the extreme anger or indignation of
2
archaic : to cause (a passion or emotion) to become aroused
Synonyms
Noun
- aroma
- attar
- otto
- balm
- bouquet
- fragrance
- fragrancy
- perfume
- redolence
- scent
- spice
Verb (1)
- odorize
- perfume
- scent
Verb (2)
- anger
- enrage
- inflame
- enflame
- infuriate
- ire
- mad
- madden
- outrage
- rankle
- rile
- roil
- steam up
- tick off
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Noun the heavenly incense of spring flowers count on the office manager to spread the incense whenever there's a visiting VIP from the head office
Word History
Etymology
Noun
Middle English encens, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin incensum, from Latin, neuter of incensus, past participle of incendere to set on fire, from in- + -cendere to burn; akin to Latin candēre to glow — more at candid
Verb (2)
Middle English encensen, probably from Latin incensus, past participle of incendere to set on fire, provoke
First Known Use
Noun
13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb (1)
13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb (2)
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2
Phrases Containing incense
Kids Definition
incense 1 of 2
noun
in·cense ˈin-ˌsens
: material used to produce a strong and pleasant smell when burned
incense
2 of 2verb
in·cense in-ˈsens
incensed; incensing
: to make very angry
… the cabin party were incensed at me for my desertion …
Robert Louis Stevenson, Treasure Island
Robert Louis Stevenson, Treasure Islandincensing 1 of 4
adjective
as in provoking
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- provoking
- infuriating
- aggravating
- inflammatory
- maddening
- riling
- engaging
- annoying
- exasperating
- irritating
- provocative
- irksome
- chafing
- maddening
- frustrating
- antagonizing
- offensive
- vexing
- nagging
- abrasive
- nettling
- rankling
- antagonistic
- galling
- hostile
- nettlesome
- inhospitable
- combative
- belligerent
- bellicose
- confrontational
- inimical
- antipathetic
- warlike
- unfriendly
- pugnacious
- agonistic
- militaristic
- military
- aggressive
- militant
- quarrelsome
- assertive
- contentious
- martial
- unsympathetic
- truculent
- argumentative
- scrappy
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- conciliatory
- propitiatory
- disarming
- placatory
- appeasing
- pacific
- mollifying
- ingratiating
- winning
- placating
- pacifying
- endearing
- conciliating
- peacemaking
- winsome
- peaceable
- peaceful
incensing
2 of 4noun
as in indignation
Synonyms & Similar Words
- indignation
- ire
- outrage
- hostility
- wrath
- infuriation
- animosity
- antagonism
- fury
- spleen
- aggravation
- antipathy
- furor
- rage
- rancor
- disenchantment
- disillusionment
- divorce
- bitterness
- antagonism
- split
- jaundice
- rupture
- breakup
- schism
- rift
- alienation
- breach
- disaffection
- separation
- embitterment
- souring
- estrangement
- disgruntlement
- envenoming
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- reconciliation
- reconcilement
- endearment
- conciliation
- pacification
- ingratiation
- propitiation
- mollification
- appeasement
incensing
3 of 4verb (1)
as in angering
to make angry the insult so incensed him that he had to be restrained from hitting the guy Synonyms & Similar Words
- angering
- infuriating
- enraging
- outraging
- irritating
- annoying
- riling
- inflaming
- offending
- enflaming
- rankling
- maddening
- provoking
- iring
- roiling
- aggravating
- madding
- getting
- affronting
- ticking off
- nettling
- antagonizing
- exasperating
- steaming up
- crossing
- ruffling
- huffing
- vexing
- embittering
- peeving
- getting one's goat
- rubbing the wrong way
- piquing
- miffing
- putting out
- burning (up)
- envenoming
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- relieving
- gratifying
- delighting
- pleasing
- allaying
- consoling
- comforting
- soothing
- appeasing
- placating
- pacifying
- assuaging
- quieting
- conciliating
- calming
- settling
- mollifying
- disarming
- charming
- captivating
- bewitching
- enchanting
- lulling
- beguiling
incensing
4 of 4verb (2)
as in scenting
to fill or infuse with a pleasant odor or odor-releasing substance the gift shop was heavily incensed with a cloying mixture of herbal essences Synonyms & Similar Words
- scenting
- odorizing
- perfuming
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- deodorizing
- stinking up