incites fear

USAGE SUMMARY

"incites fear" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that causes fear or fright in another person or group. For example: "The dark clouds outside incited fear in the children."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Globalization, in turn, means a looming specter of protectionism incites fear in Asian business leaders.

Forbes

The guidelines say the company doesn't tolerate violent threats, references to mass murder targeting people or behavior that incites fear of a protected group. .

Huffington Post

While the PSA deals with a disease that has spread beyond Asia and often incites fear, it aims to do so with panache rather than panic.

Unicef

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Even the new stability agreement, which has been subject to rigorous German accounting, incites fears that Europe is strangling its own growth potential.

The Guardian

They've incited fear in people, and we're paying the price".

The New York Times

Narcotics incite fear: doctors fear addicting patients, and law enforcement officials fear drug crime.

The New York Times - Health

An act that he imagined would incite fear and recrimination; violence and suspicion.

The Guardian

Many people propagate these arguments to push political agendas that incite fear and hatred.

The Guardian - Opinion

The decision incited fear among regulators, and even caused several agencies to re-examine their Dodd-Frank rules.

The New York Times

The war drums are beating to incite fear of a non-existent Iranian missile carrying a non-existent nuclear bomb.

The Guardian - Opinion

The rule inside the Convention was: Incite fear and division in order to call for safety and union.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "incites fear", ensure the subject clearly identifies what or who is causing the fear. For example, "The dictator's policies incited fear among the citizens."

Common error

Avoid using "incites fear" when the source of the fear is ambiguous. Clearly identify who or what is doing the inciting to maintain clarity. A sentence such as "Fear was incited" lacks clarity; specifying the actor, e.g., "The propaganda incited fear", improves understanding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "incites fear" functions as a verb phrase, where 'incites' is the verb and 'fear' is the direct object. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. It describes the action of causing fear or a feeling of alarm.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Formal & Business

17%

Science

16%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "incites fear" is grammatically correct and functions as a verb phrase, describing the act of causing fear. Ludwig AI confirms this. Although its use is currently rare, according to the analysed sources, it commonly appears in news and media contexts. When using "incites fear", clarity is key; ensure the source of the fear is clearly identified to avoid ambiguity. Alternative phrases like "triggers fear" or "provokes fear" can be used to vary your language while maintaining a similar meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

triggers fear

Emphasizes a sudden or immediate causing of fear.

provokes fear

Suggests a deliberate or intentional causing of fear.

instills fear

Implies a gradual or persistent causing of fear.

generates fear

Highlights the creation or production of fear.

induces fear

Focuses on the act of persuading or influencing to feel fear.

inspires fear

Suggests a powerful or profound causing of fear.

creates fear

Emphasizes the original formation of fear.

influences fear

Highlights the action of changing, affecting or impacting the feeling of fear.

stimulates fear

Emphasizes the action of creating a feeling of fear.

invites fear

Emphasizes the action of creating a feeling of fear.

FAQs

How can I use "incites fear" in a sentence?

Use "incites fear" to describe something that causes fear. For example, "The horror movie incites fear in the audience" or "The spread of misinformation incites fear about the vaccine".

What are some alternatives to "incites fear"?

You can use alternatives like "triggers fear", "provokes fear", or "instills fear" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "incites to fear"?

While understandable, "incites fear" is more direct and commonly used than "incites to fear". The former is generally preferred in writing.

What is the difference between "inspires fear" and "incites fear"?

"Inspires fear" suggests a more profound or awe-inspiring fear, while "incites fear" implies a more immediate and potentially manipulative arousal of fear.