incite

Definitions

in- here means "onto/upon, toward" (not the negative in- of invisible) + cite (rouse) = stir people up and aim them onto an action. The rousing is directed at a target, which is why incite almost always takes a bad object: violence, hatred, a riot.

Common Collocations

• 1.incite violence煽动暴力
• 2.incite hatred煽动仇恨
• 3.incite a riot煽动骚乱
• 4.incite rebellion煽动叛乱

Example Sentences

• 1.

  He was arrested for trying to incite a riot in the square.

• 2.

  The speech was designed to incite hatred against minorities.

• 3.

  Her courage incited the others to keep fighting.

Easily Confused

incite vs encourage — both urge action, but incite is negative and points at harm (incite violence), while encourage is positive and supportive (encourage students). You never "incite" good behavior.