What does incitation mean?
Incitation is the act of provoking, urging, or encouraging someone to take a particular action. It often implies that words, conduct, or events stir another person toward conduct that may be disruptive, dangerous, or unlawful. The word is especially common in legal and political contexts: an incitation to violence or an incitation to commit a crime. In ordinary use, it may refer more broadly to strong encouragement or provocation, although it generally carries a more serious or negative tone than simple encouragement. Related terms include incite, the most common verb, and incitement, a frequently used alternative noun. Understanding incitation is useful when reading news reports, legal proceedings, and discussions of public speech, political rhetoric, or collective action.
nounThe act of urging, provoking, or encouraging someone to do something. In legal contexts, it refers to inducing or encouraging another person to commit a crime or other unlawful act.
- The act of urging, provoking, or encouraging someone to do something, especially something disruptive or harmful.
- In law, the act of inducing or encouraging another person to commit an offence or other unlawful act.
"The speech was widely condemned as an incitation to violence."
"The report described the online post as an incitation to harassment."
"He was charged with incitation to commit fraud."
Plural forms are used when referring to multiple separate acts or instances of provoking or encouraging action.
"The investigation examined several incitations of violence posted online."
Incitation is the spark before the flame: it describes the powerful act of encouraging someone else to act.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of incitation
The word comes through French from Latin incitatio, a noun meaning “an inciting” or “incitement.” Its ultimate Latin source is incitare, formed from in- and citare, meaning “to summon” or “set in motion.” The same broad Latin root appears in words such as citation, recite, and excite, although the prefix and meanings differ.
Related word forms
How incitation is actually used
Incitement is more common in everyday usage. Incitation is especially associated with legal, political, and formal discussions involving provoking or encouraging unlawful or dangerous conduct.
Easily confused with incitation
Incitement is the more common general noun for provoking or encouraging harmful conduct, while incitation is especially frequent in legal and formal contexts.