incite
/ɪnˈsʌɪt
/verb [with object]
1Encourage or stir up (violent or unlawful behaviour): they conspired to incite riots...
- The Public Order Act of 1986 made it a criminal offence to incite racial hatred - but its provisions do not extend to sexual orientation.
- I am aware that Britain has legislation which makes it a criminal offence to incite racial hatred.
- Britain must be free to act against extremists who stir up hatred and incite terrorism.
Synonyms
stir up, whip up, work up, encourage, fan the flames of, stoke up, fuel, kindle, ignite, inflame, stimulate, instigate, provoke, excite, arouse, awaken, waken, inspire, trigger, spark off, ferment, foment, agitate for/against;
cause, generate, bring about
literary enkindle
egg on, encourage, urge, goad, provoke, spur on, drive on, stimulate, push, prod, prompt, induce, impel, motivate, make, influence;
arouse, rouse, excite, inflame, stir up, sting, prick
informal put up to
North American informal root on
Law procure
1.1Urge or persuade (someone) to act in a violent or unlawful way: he incited loyal subjects to rebellion...
- Thus pre-vindicated, any troublemaker can now articulate his freedom of umbrage, on the grounds that he was incited to violence by a poem, novel, painting, play, or critique.
- And it did not incite me to physical violence, but it changed me, materially, and my world.
- Students in the band said they're just singing the lyrics and not inciting anyone to do anything.
Derivatives
inciter
/ noun ...- All populist right-wing movements, inciters to violence and hatred, are adept in the language of Grievance.
- But the possibility that apathy may subvert anarchy does not absolve its inciters from responsibility.
- All along we've thought that something subversive was in our midst, perhaps a maker of effigies, or an inciter of revolutions.
Origin
Late 15th century (earlier (late Middle English) as incitation): from French inciter, from Latin incitare, from in- 'towards' + citare 'rouse'.