Incite

The verb incite means to inspire someone to do or feel something nasty or crazy.

Synonyms are provoke, agitate, urge, or motivate.

The word origins from Old French (14th century) inciter, enciter meaning “stir up, excite, instigate” and Latin incitare meaning “to put into rapid motion”, figuratively “rouse, urge, encourage, stimulate”. It comes from in– meaning “into, in, on, upon” plus citare meaning “move, excite”.

Some social media posts were trying to incite public opinion against the government.

He was kicked-out for inciting his classmates to rebel against the administrator.

The fake news incited widespread fear and panic.