INCITATION Synonyms: 52 Similar and Opposite Words

incitation

noun

ˌin-ˌsī-ˈtā-shən

Definition of incitation

as in excitement

something that arouses a strong response from another the rabble-rousing speech was seen by many as an incitation to ethnic violence

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

subduing

as in incentive

something that arouses action or activity a mild heart attack was all the incitation he needed to adopt an exercise regimen and a healthy diet

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 incitation But one chat room over, the server was filled with racist memes, sexist and ableist slurs, antisemitic messages, and incitations of violence against women and people of color. — Ash Parrish, The Verge, 18 Mar. 2024 Between these voices of reason and incitation, between these two seemingly different men, lie 22 years of power and five American presidents. — New York Times, 26 Mar. 2022 Bolsonaro will still have to stand trial for accusations of slander and incitation to rape. — Mauricio Savarese, Fox News, 12 Sep. 2018

Recent Examples of Synonyms for incitation

Noun

The 100-meter sprint in Beijing’s National Speed Skating Oval brought together the world’s fastest runners, hurtling along at breakneck speed to shrieks of excitement from a captivated crowd.

— Sarah Shephard, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026
But as the excitement for launch built, and the days until Roman's launch dwindled, excitement over the possibility of a solar transit spread among the photojournalists at KSC.

— Josh Dinner, Space.com, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of excitement

Noun

In July, California’s Public Utilities Commission approved new incentives of up to $20,300 for ride-hailing app drivers to buy or lease new zero-emission vehicles, and often now, ride hailers can choose to be picked up by an EV on the apps.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026
Lucrative contracts in the French league, lack of incentive to travel overseas and strict rules from the French Federation meant a local product grew but never went global.

— Eden Laase, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of incentive

Noun

Shape-memory polymers can be programmed to return to a particular shape after exposure to a stimulus, often heat.

— Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026
Surrounded by the healing landscape of the Sonoran Desert, the luxe getaway has welcomed travelers seeking to put aside digital overload and other overwhelming stimuli in order to reconnect with the best versions of themselves.

— Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of stimulus

Noun

The impetus was Steven Spielberg’s Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, which contains gory scenes that are definitely too intense for young kids but more appropriate for teens, and thus, the PG-13 rating was born.

— Kara Nesvig, Parents, 29 Aug. 2026
The maintenance needed on the 368,000 miles of roads in America’s national forests was one impetus for the Roadless Rule in 2001.

— Patrick Parenteau, The Conversation, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of impetus

Noun

Angela recalled him providing clothing, shoes and money to people experiencing homelessness, along with the words of encouragement that came naturally to him.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 28 Aug. 2026
As captured by a parent, a note that Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library sent to its graduates includes kind words and encouragement from the star.

— Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of encouragement

Noun

The World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025 ranks EI skills like resilience, flexibility, agility, leadership, social influence, motivation, and self-awareness as among the top ten most desirable skills.

— Kevin Kruse, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
The Whisper Man director James Ashcroft explains the motivations of the film’s serial killer antagonist.

— Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of motivation

Noun

There are also sessions of Cranio Sacral Balance, EmSella pelvic-floor activation, Exomind brain stimulation, lymphatic drainage, and physiotherapy.

— Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 23 Aug. 2026
Rouben Madikians, a flight attendant of 40 years, recommends blocking out some of that stimulation instead.

— Brandon Schultz, Travel + Leisure, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of stimulation

Browse Nearby Words

incisiveness

incitation

incitations

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Style

“Incitation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/incitation. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of incitation

noun

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