Word: incite

Associations

The word "incite" means to encourage or provoke someone to take action, often something negative or violent. It has a strong connotation and can imply stirring up trouble.

• Example 1: A speech that incites a crowd to riot. This means the speech encourages people to behave violently.
• Example 2: Promoting a protest can incite people to voice their opinions. Here, it suggests that the promotion encourages people to take action.
• Example 3: The article could incite anger among readers. This means the article might provoke strong emotions in people.

A well-known synonym is "instigate." The main difference is that "incite" usually conveys a more direct and often negative action, while "instigate" can be used in a broader context, including starting any event, not just those with a negative implication.

Substitution

Some alternative words/phrases for "incite" could include:

• "provoke" – which is similar but can be used in a broader sense, not just for troubled actions.
• "stimulate" – which suggests encouraging a response, often in a positive way.
• "urge" – implies encouragement to act but does not carry the negative connotation of "incite."

Deconstruction

The root of "incite" comes from the Latin word "incitare," which means to set in motion or to urge on. Here’s the breakdown:

• Prefix: "in-" means "into" or "on."
• Root: "cite" comes from the Latin word "citat," meaning to call or summon.

Historically, "incite" has often been used in contexts related to law, politics, and social movements where emotions and actions are stirred intentionally.

Inquiry

• Can you think of a situation where someone might incite others for a positive cause?
• Have you ever felt incited to take action on something important? What was it about?
• How might the word "incite" change its meaning depending on the context?