incite Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. verb give an incentive for action
    motivate; prompt; propel; move; actuate.
    • This moved me to sacrifice my career
  2. verb provoke or stir up
    set off; instigate; stir up.
    • incite a riot
    • set off great unrest among the people
  3. verb urge on; cause to act
    egg on; prod.
    • The other children egged the boy on, but he did not want to throw the stone through the window

WordNet

In*cite" transitive verb
Etymology
L. incitare; pref. in- in + citare to rouse, stir up: cf. F. inciter. See Cite.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Incited ; present participle & verbal noun Inciting
Definitions
  1. To move to action; to stir up; to rouse; to spur or urge on.
    Anthiochus, when he incited Prusias to join in war, set before him the greatness of the Romans. Bacon.
    No blown ambition doth our arms incite. Shak.
    Syn. -- Excite; stimulate; instigate; spur; goad; arouse; move; urge; rouse; provoke; encourage; prompt; animate. See Excite.

Webster 1913