incite a revolution

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "incite a revolution" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It means to encourage or provoke people to start a revolution or uprising against a government or authority. Example: "The radical leader's fiery speeches were intended to incite a revolution among the oppressed citizens."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

But conversely, when a culture does gain prestige, it can incite a revolution.

The New York Times - Arts

Naively hoping for personal sacrifice and courage to incite a revolution and asking every citizen to challenge repression seems quite idealistic now.

Huffington Post

Once this happens, the operative defies his loyalty to the president and helps the daughter and her father incite a revolution with what he knows about the corrupt leader.

Wikipedia

In one of the more amusing exchanges of the Sundance screening, an impassioned audience member informed the filmmakers that she too was trying to incite a revolution in America.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

"In that way, YouTube has incited a revolution".

The New York Times - Arts

Now an "independent" study commissioned by the Kremlin has fused the domestic and the international by suggesting, for example, that foreign-funded LGBT organizations could incite a gay revolution that would "plunge the country into a new period of chaos".

Vice

The Department of Education is giving more than $7 million this year (up from $300,000 last year) to fund tech-based learning programs, Bill and Melinda Gates donated $20 million recently to incite a "tech revolution in education" and tech companies have begun teaming up with school districts to open tech savvy high schools in Philadelphia and New York.

Huffington Post

The Gadar Party received considerable support from the German Foreign Office, which arranged funds and armaments in a plot to incite a pan-Indian revolution (later known as the "Annie Larsen affair") in 1915.

The New York Times

He discovered music could "incite a riot, an emotion, start a revolution".

The New York Times

The first completed sequence was a junkyard scene in Harlem, in which Fritz smokes marijuana, has sex and incites a revolution.

Wikipedia

Golos receives financing from Western governments, including the United States, and some Russian officials have suggested that the organization's real aim is to incite an Arab Spring-type revolution in Russia.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "incite a revolution", ensure that the context clearly indicates the specific grievances or conditions that are being exploited to encourage revolutionary action. Providing context enhances the reader's understanding of the motivations behind the incitement.

Common error

Avoid using "incite a revolution" lightly. This phrase carries significant weight and should only be applied when the actions described genuinely aim to overthrow an established power structure, not merely to express strong disagreement or dissent.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "incite a revolution" functions as a verb phrase, where "incite" is the verb and "a revolution" is the direct object. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct. Examples in Ludwig show its usage in describing actions that provoke uprisings.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "incite a revolution" describes the act of encouraging or provoking an uprising against an established power. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase, primarily found in news and media contexts. While alternatives like "spark a revolution" or "foment a revolution" exist, "incite a revolution" specifically emphasizes the element of provocation. When using this phrase, it’s important to consider its weight and ensure the context genuinely reflects an attempt to overthrow established authority.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

spark a revolution

Emphasizes the initiation or triggering event of a revolution.

foment a revolution

Suggests a deliberate and sustained effort to stir up revolutionary sentiment.

trigger a revolution

Highlights the cause-and-effect relationship where something directly leads to a revolution.

provoke a revolution

Implies that the revolution is a response to some action or situation.

instigate a revolution

Focuses on the active role of someone in initiating the revolutionary process.

encourage a revolution

Indicates a more passive form of support for revolutionary action.

fuel a revolution

Highlights the elements that contribute to its continuation or increase in intensity.

stir up a revolution

Implies creating unrest or excitement that leads to a revolution.

precipitate a revolution

Emphasizes the hastening or accelerating of a revolutionary event.

ignite a revolution

Emphasizes the sudden and forceful outbreak of revolutionary action.

FAQs

What does "incite a revolution" mean?

The phrase "incite a revolution" means to encourage or provoke people to revolt against a government or established authority, typically through persuasive rhetoric or direct action.

How can I use "incite a revolution" in a sentence?

You can use "incite a revolution" to describe actions or words that aim to trigger an uprising. For example, "The leader's speech was designed to incite a revolution among the working class."

What are some alternatives to "incite a revolution"?

You can use alternatives like "spark a revolution", "foment a revolution", or "trigger a revolution" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What is the difference between "incite a revolution" and "encourage dissent"?

"Incite a revolution" implies a direct attempt to overthrow the government, while "encourage dissent" means promoting disagreement or opposition, which may not necessarily lead to revolutionary action. Dissent can be a precursor to "inciting a revolution" but is not as strong.