incite terror

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "incite terror" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing actions or rhetoric that provoke fear or violence, often in political or social discussions. Example: "The extremist group aimed to incite terror among the population to achieve their goals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Yes, they can still be used against cities to incite terror among civilians.

The New York Times

Despite both sides claiming a mutual interest in combating the group, which had overrun large parts of Syria and Iraq and was starting to incite terror further afield, it took the US 11 months of negotiations to gain access to Incirlik, which is near the Syrian border.

The Guardian

He broke it down into three segments: a large homegrown problem of potentially violent extremists in the UK – most of them British – about 3,000 in number; members of Daesh (Islamic State) in the conflict zones of Syria and Iraq trying to incite terror plots against the UK; and Daesh trying to spread its "toxic ideology" and promote terrorism online.

The Guardian

Meanwhile, Hamas continues to incite terror attacks against Israeli civilians, boasts of building new cross-border assault tunnels and test-fires rockets, in preparation for further violence against Israelis," the official said.

BBC

The threat from artificial intelligence today is not Hal 9000 taking over the world, but rather scenarios where deep learning could be used by groups to incite terror through the autonomous classification and destruction of people and places.

TechCrunch

"To incite terror.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Since then, the group has worked hard to create a mechanism for inciting terror in situ.

The New York Times

The government has lashed out at independent media and charged civil-society activists and lawyers with inciting terror.

The Economist

Our children will not have peace if politicos just capitalise on this to succeed in portraying anyone as inciting terror and violence.

The Guardian

The performers face several charges, including inciting terror attacks and street protests, attempting to overthrow the government and insulting state institutions, according to their lawyer Mahmoud Othman.

The Guardian

"Our children will not have peace if politicos just capitalize on this to succeed in portraying anyone as inciting terror and violence," Ms. Palin wrote to Mr. Beck in an e-mail that he read Monday on his radio program.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "incite terror", consider the target audience and the potential impact of your words. Ensure that the context clearly indicates who is inciting the terror and who is being targeted.

Common error

Be cautious of using "incite terror" loosely to describe situations that involve mere discomfort or disagreement. Reserve the phrase for situations where there is a clear intent to create widespread fear and panic through actions or rhetoric.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "incite terror" functions primarily as a verb phrase where "incite" acts as a transitive verb requiring a direct object, in this case, "terror". Ludwig examples show it used to describe actions that trigger widespread fear. The phrase's ability to convey intentionality is corroborated by Ludwig AI's analysis.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "incite terror" is a grammatically sound and readily usable expression, as confirmed by Ludwig. It functions as a verb phrase employed to depict actions or rhetoric intended to provoke widespread fear and panic. Predominantly found within news and media contexts, the phrase maintains a neutral register, reporting on actions and events. While alternatives such as "provoke fear" or "stir up panic" exist, "incite terror" carries a specific connotation of intentionality and widespread impact. When utilizing this phrase, ensure clarity in identifying both the instigator and the target to maintain precision and avoid misuse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

provoke fear

Focuses more generally on causing fear, without necessarily implying a deliberate act of instigating widespread panic or violence.

stir up panic

Implies a sudden and widespread feeling of anxiety and alarm, potentially less calculated than inciting terror.

instigate fearmongering

Specifically refers to the act of spreading alarming rumors or exaggerations to create fear.

foment unrest

Focuses on stirring up discontent and disturbance, which can be a precursor to terror, but isn't directly about causing fear.

spark intimidation

Suggests initiating a feeling of being threatened or coerced, a component often associated with terror.

trigger alarm

Highlights the act of setting off a state of alert and apprehension, which may lead to fear.

generate hysteria

Indicates causing uncontrolled excitement, emotion, or panic, often on a large scale.

ignite chaos

Implies setting off a state of complete disorder and confusion, which may be a consequence of terror.

promote violence

Focuses on encouraging violent actions, which can be a means to incite terror, but doesn't always involve a widespread feeling of fear.

encourage extremism

Suggests promoting radical beliefs or actions, which can contribute to creating an environment where terror might occur.

FAQs

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

You can use "incite terror" to describe actions or statements that provoke extreme fear and panic, like: "The propaganda was designed to "incite terror" among the population."

What are some synonyms for "incite terror"?

Alternatives include "provoke fear", "stir up panic", or "foment unrest", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "incite terror" in formal writing?

Yes, "incite terror" is appropriate in formal writing, especially when discussing political or social issues related to violence and fear. However, ensure the context warrants such a strong phrase.

What's the difference between "incite terror" and "promote violence"?

"Incite terror" specifically refers to provoking extreme fear and panic, while "promote violence" refers to encouraging or supporting violent actions. "Incite terror" often uses the threat of violence as a means to achieve fear, while violence is a direct action.