Incite doubt

USAGE SUMMARY

"Incite doubt" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it in contexts where you want to express the idea of provoking uncertainty or skepticism. For example: "The politician's statements seemed to incite doubt among the voters." Alternative expressions include "Sow doubt" and "Instill doubt."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The mission of universities focused on liberal learning should be, in Richard Rorty's words, "to incite doubt and stimulate imagination, thereby challenging the prevailing consensus".

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

To the extent that the Stedelijk institutionalized the faith of modernism, it has come to incite heretical doubt.

The New Yorker

He has been the author of many of our most trenchant posts and, without a doubt, incited our most intense discussions.

The New York Times

This situation incites hesitation and doubt about what to do.

SEP

Nima's thoughts line up with the stated goals of Matt, Swati and Incite, and there is no doubt the two intend to see this project through to the end.

TechCrunch

Today the clear-and-present-danger test implies that inciting speech beyond a reasonable doubt will be followed by imminent lawless action.

The New Yorker

He does not incite violence against foreigners or ethnic minorities.No doubt he has some nasty supporters; so do most parties.

The Economist

There is no doubt the North Korean leader could incite a catastrophic event.

Huffington Post

Until his plane landed here Friday morning, John Paul's habitual gesture of kissing the soil of a country on a first visit was in doubt, because of fear that it would incite Orthodox zealots.

Los Angeles Times

While there is no evidence the Dalai Lama encourages or incites protest within Tibet directly, the recent talks will no doubt invigorate the resistance within Tibet.

Vice

I doubt [the Chinese government is] worried about the book inciting anything.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "Incite doubt" when you want to emphasize a deliberate act of provoking uncertainty or skepticism. It's stronger than simply 'raising questions'.

Common error

While effective, "Incite doubt" is not always the most nuanced choice. Consider alternatives like "raise questions" or "fuel skepticism" to fine-tune your message.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Incite doubt" functions as a verb phrase where "incite" is a transitive verb requiring a direct object, in this case, "doubt". Ludwig AI suggests the phrase is correct. The function is to create a specific type of emotional or intellectual response.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Academia

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "Incite doubt" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe the act of deliberately provoking uncertainty. Ludwig confirms its validity, and while not exceedingly common, it appears in diverse contexts, including news media, scientific discourse, and academic writing. Related phrases, such as "sow seeds of doubt" or "raise suspicions", offer nuanced alternatives depending on the desired emphasis. When using "Incite doubt", consider the intention behind your message and whether a more neutral phrasing might be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Generate skepticism

Focuses on producing a questioning attitude.

Fuel skepticism

Highlights the act of intensification of a questioning attitude.

Sow seeds of doubt

Uses a metaphor of planting to describe instilling doubt, often subtly.

Create uncertainty

Highlights the generation of a lack of clarity or confidence.

Prompt questioning

Emphasizes initiating an act of asking question about something.

Raise suspicions

Focuses on creating a general sense of distrust or questioning.

Stir up misgivings

Refers to creating feelings of doubt, fear, or suspicion.

Provoke disbelief

Stresses the act of causing someone to not believe something.

Cast aspersions

Emphasizes damaging someone's reputation through doubt or insinuation.

Undermine confidence

Implies weakening someone's assurance or faith.

FAQs

How can "Incite doubt" be used in a sentence?

You can use "Incite doubt" to describe the action of deliberately causing uncertainty or skepticism, as in: "The politician's vague statements seemed designed to "incite doubt" among voters."

What phrases are similar to "Incite doubt"?

Alternatives include "sow seeds of doubt", which suggests a subtle instillation of uncertainty, and "raise suspicions", which focuses on creating a general sense of distrust.

Is "Incite doubt" a formal or informal expression?

"Incite doubt" is suitable for neutral to formal contexts, often found in news and academic writing. Less formal alternatives might include "make people wonder" or "cast doubt on".

When is it appropriate to use "Incite doubt" instead of "Raise questions"?

Use "Incite doubt" when the intention is to actively generate uncertainty or disbelief. "Raise questions" is more neutral and simply suggests bringing up points for consideration, while "incite doubt" implies a more forceful and deliberate action.