incite controversy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "incite controversy" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to talk about something that stirs strong opinions or debates. For example: "The governor's speech about healthcare reform incited controversy in the state legislature."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

But Teixeira made sure not to incite controversy.

The New York Times

"It caused the community to realize that opera was important enough to incite controversy".

The New York Times - Arts

The study, which could take a year to complete, is apt to incite controversy among school boards themselves.

The New York Times

But, however well-researched the book is, its focus on Christ's sex life will inevitably incite controversy.

The Guardian

While she's known for her willingness to inspire and incite controversy, there's a disconnect in Fox between her work and her media-centric persona.

The New York Times - Magazine

Yasmina Reza's spectacularly popular play, now in the midst of a touring version's five-week stopover at the Paper Mill Playhouse here, can be taken as a statement of the meaning and the arbitrariness of the word that gives the play its title: a three-letter word that will forever incite controversy.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Since the doll's inception its body has incited controversy.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Mr. Jama's word will not be the last concerning Saracen, whose clandestine operations have incited controversy in Somalia's Parliament.

The New York Times

And in the decade since he switched from UK to US screens, he has lost none of his instinct for inciting controversy.

Independent

(Maybe the Beijing company, whose focus on socially relevant themes has incited controversy in China in the past, has stronger works up its sleeve).

The New York Times - Arts

Footnotes added to presidential biographies on the White House Web site that connect past presidents' achievements to President Obama's initiatives incited controversy Tuesday in conservative circles online over how far the Obama administration would go to promote its policies.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "incite controversy" when you want to emphasize the act of actively provoking a dispute, rather than simply causing disagreement.

Common error

Avoid using "incite controversy" when a milder term like "spark discussion" would be more appropriate. The phrase implies a deliberate act of provocation, which may not always be accurate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "incite controversy" functions as a verb phrase. It typically serves as the predicate of a sentence, describing an action that someone or something performs, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "incite controversy" is a grammatically sound and commonly used verb phrase that describes the act of deliberately provoking strong disagreement or public debate. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It's frequently found in news and media contexts, as well as scientific and encyclopedic sources. While the phrase is appropriate in many scenarios, it's important to consider whether a milder term like "spark discussion" might be more suitable. Semantically related alternatives include "provoke disagreement" and "stir up debate".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

provoke disagreement

Focuses on causing disagreement without necessarily implying widespread contention.

stir up debate

Emphasizes initiating a discussion, which may or may not become contentious.

spark opposition

Highlights the action of triggering resistance or dissent.

generate contention

Focuses on producing a state of dispute or argument.

foment discord

Implies actively promoting a lack of agreement or harmony.

trigger outrage

Specifically suggests causing a strong emotional response of anger or shock.

fan the flames of conflict

Emphasizes intensifying an existing dispute.

raise hackles

Highlights causing irritation or defensiveness.

set off a firestorm

Suggests initiating a sudden and intense outburst of controversy.

invite criticism

Focuses on actions likely to attract negative feedback.

FAQs

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

You can use "incite controversy" to describe actions or statements that provoke strong disagreement or public debate. For example, "The politician's remarks about immigration incited controversy nationwide."

What's a less inflammatory way to say "incite controversy"?

Depending on the context, you could use milder alternatives such as "spark discussion", "generate debate", or "prompt scrutiny".

Is it more correct to use "incite controversy" or "spark controversy"?

Both "incite controversy" and "spark controversy" are grammatically correct and widely used. "Incite" suggests a more deliberate act of provocation, while "spark" implies a more spontaneous initiation.

What is the difference between "incite controversy" and "inflame controversy"?

"Incite controversy" means to start or provoke it, while "inflame controversy" means to intensify or worsen an existing one. They describe different stages of a contentious situation.