# incitement

/ˌɪnˈsaɪtmənt/ (US) · /ɪnsˈaɪtmənt/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/incitement
Updated: 2026-05-20

## Definition

the act of encouraging or helping someone to do something illegal or violent. It is often used to describe when a leader tells a group to attack or cause trouble.

For teachers: the act of encouraging or instigating someone to commit a crime or engage in violent behavior. Often used in legal contexts to describe the deliberate provocation of a group to commit an unlawful act.

## Examples

- The leader was charged with incitement after the protest.
- The prosecution argued that the defendant's speech was not just criticism but actual incitement to violence.
- Legal scholars often debate the fine line between protected political speech and the actionable crime of incitement, particularly when the speech is directed at a specific group.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.