Basic Details
Word: Incite
Part of Speech: Verb
Meaning: To encourage or stir up someone to take action, often something negative.
Synonyms: Encourage, provoke, instigate
Antonyms: Discourage, calm, quieten
Idioms and Phrases
- Incite a riot: To provoke a violent public disturbance. Example: "The speaker tried to incite a riot among the crowd, but thankfully the police controlled the situation."
- Incite someone's interest: To encourage someone to become interested in something. Example: "The teacher used exciting experiments to incite the students' interest in science."
Usage Examples
Example 1: The controversial article was written to incite debate among the readers.
Example 2: The coach's passionate speech aimed to incite the team to give their best during the big game.
Example 3: It's important not to incite hate through your words, as they can have serious consequences.
Fun Fact
The word "incite" comes from the Latin "incitare," meaning "to set in motion or rouse." It is often used in legal contexts where a person is charged with crime for encouraging others to commit unlawful acts.
Famous Quote
"The only thing we have to fear is fear itself." Franklin D. Roosevelt. This quote speaks to how fear can incite panic and unrest in a society.
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What does "incite" mean?
a) To calm down
b) To encourage negative action
c) To ignore someone
d) To celebrate a positive event
Answer: b) To encourage negative action
2. Which of these is a synonym of "incite"?
a) Discourage
b) Provoke
c) Calm
d) Respect
Answer: b) Provoke
3. What is an antonym of "incite"?
a) Encourage
b) Instigate
c) Discourage
d) Ignite
Answer: c) Discourage
4. Which sentence uses "incite" correctly?
a) He wanted to incite a peaceful gathering.
b) The leaders aimed to incite change in their communities.
c) She decided to incite joy by smiling at everyone.
d) The book's purpose was to incite laughter throughout its pages.
Answer: b) The leaders aimed to incite change in their communities.
5. Which idiom relates to "incite"?
a) Incite a riot
b) Calm the storm
c) Make a mountain out of a molehill
d) Keep your head above water
Answer: a) Incite a riot
