incitement

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "incitement" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it in contexts involving provocation or encouragement to act, especially in legal or political discussions. Example: "The speech was deemed an incitement to violence." Alternative expressions include "provocation" and "instigation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"The new Israeli cabinet has shown its commitment to consolidate an apartheid regime in occupied Palestine, as well as to continue its incitement campaign against Palestinians, sending the message that Palestinian lives, history and culture don't matter.

The Guardian

We won't accept any images which depict children or appear to be imitating another individual, or which otherwise fall foul of our existing community standards governing taste and decency, violence or illegal acts, and incitement or intent to cause offence.

The Guardian

On Monday he resurfaced for the preliminary hearing of his trial for incitement to murder.

The Guardian

The criminal law already covers incitement to hatred when that freedom is abused.

The Guardian

The furore surrounding the Castlederg march produced a sideshow of sectarianism on the Internet after Democratic Unionist councillor in Belfast and former deputy lord mayor of the city Ruth Patterson posted offensive remarks about the Sinn Fein march, which nationalists claimed were an incitement to violence.

The Guardian

Opposition parties said authorities must decide whether Bayer should be prosecuted for incitement against a minority, and urged Fidesz to expel him.

The Guardian

Erri De Luca, 64, one of Italy's best-known authors, is to stand trial on Wednesday on charges of "incitement to commit crimes", an offence that could see him serve five years in prison.

The Guardian - Opinion

This last exception enables the media to report on public issues, such as racial incitement or racially offensive conduct.

The Guardian

The Italian penal code gives a very open-ended definition of incitement, so convincing the judges could be a hard call for his lawyers.

The Guardian - Opinion

Ford said: "There are certainly people who have been posting messages on social media which amount to incitement to hatred, incitement to commit criminal offences such as arson and that is being monitored [by the police service].

The Guardian

Let us condemn incitement against Sufi Muslims and Shiite pilgrims.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the word "incitement", be specific about the action or behavior being incited. This adds clarity and strengthens your argument or statement.

Common error

Do not use "incitement" without specifying who is doing the inciting and who is being incited. Vague attributions weaken the impact of your message.

Linguistic Context

The term "incitement" functions primarily as a noun, denoting the act of urging or provoking unlawful behavior. Ludwig's examples showcase it in scenarios concerning legal and ethical breaches. The prevalence of "incitement" in journalistic contexts underscores its significance as a descriptor of potentially inflammatory actions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

94%

Formal & Business

3%

Science

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "incitement" functions as a noun that signifies the act of urging or provoking unlawful behavior, it is grammatically correct and very commonly used. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriateness, particularly in news and media contexts. While closely related to terms like "provocation" and "instigation", "incitement" has a more targeted and negative purpose and a slightly different meaning. When using "incitement", ensure clarity by specifying the action being incited and avoiding vague attributions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

provocation

Emphasizes the act of provoking or stimulating a reaction, often negative.

instigation

Focuses on initiating or setting something in motion, particularly an action or event.

encouragement

Highlights the act of giving support, confidence, or hope to someone to do something.

exhortation

Implies a strong urging or persuasion, often with a moral or ethical component.

agitation

Suggests stirring up public interest or concern, often with the aim of causing unrest.

fomentation

Indicates the act of stirring up or promoting trouble or discord.

promotion

Highlights the act of furthering or advancing a cause, idea, or product.

solicitation

Implies asking for or trying to obtain something, often support or assistance.

fueling

Focuses on the act of adding to or intensifying something, like a fire or conflict.

sparking

Suggests initiating or triggering something, often a sudden or unexpected event.

FAQs

How is "incitement" typically used in legal contexts?

In legal contexts, "incitement" often refers to the act of urging others to commit unlawful acts, particularly violence or disorder. Laws against "incitement to violence" are common.

What are some effective ways to avoid "incitement" in speech or writing?

To avoid "incitement", focus on expressing opinions and ideas without directly urging or encouraging illegal or harmful actions. Promoting dialogue and understanding is a safer approach.

Which is the correct usage: "incitement to violence" or "incitement of violence"?

"Incitement to violence" is the more common and grammatically preferred phrasing. Although "incitement of violence" is sometimes used, "to" better conveys the direction of the incitement.

What's the difference between "incitement" and "provocation"?

"Incitement" implies directly urging someone to take a specific action, often illegal or violent. "Provocation" involves actions or words intended to elicit a response, which may or may not involve unlawful behavior.