noun

incitement

in-SYT-munt/ɪnˈsaɪtmənt/

Something that urges or provokes action.

The woman's urging serves as an incitement to throw the brick.

A woman emphatically urges her companion to throw a brick at a storefront window, pointing at the intact glass while the companion draws back her throwing arm.

Etymology

inLatininto

+citeLatinto move, excite, urge

+mentLatinaction, means, or result

The motion image behind incite became the figurative act of rousing someone to act. Incitement names that urging, here specifically toward harmful or illegal conduct.

In context

ColumbiaLearn5:45

How direct is the call for committing genocide. The incitement assumes a direct form and specifically provoke another to engage in a criminal act.

MOOC FOE1x | 3.7.1 Incitement and Hate Speech - Part 2 | Legitimate Restrictions to FoE

More examples

They treated the insult as an incitement to fight.
Her appeal served as an incitement to action.
The report examined the role of public incitement in the unrest.

Forms

incitement · incitements

incite verb — urge or provoke action

Similar words

encouragement: Encouragement supports action; incitement often suggests stirring up harmful or unlawful action.
provocation: Provocation can cause an angry response; incitement urges or stimulates action more directly.