in·cense
ˈin-ˌsen(t)s 
1
: material used to produce a fragrant odor when burned
2
: the perfume exhaled from some spices and gums when burned
broadly
: a pleasing scent
3
: pleasing attention : flattery
in·cense
ˈin-ˌsen(t)s
incensed; incensing
in·cense
in-ˈsen(t)s
incensed; incensing
1
: to arouse the extreme anger or indignation of
2
archaic
: to cause (a passion or emotion) to become aroused
Synonyms
Examples of incense in a Sentence
Noun
the heavenly incense of spring flowers
count on the office manager to spread the incense whenever there's a visiting VIP from the head office
Verb (1)
the gift shop was heavily incensed with a cloying mixture of herbal essences
Verb (2)
the insult so incensed him that he had to be restrained from hitting the guy
Recent Examples on the Web
Leila Miller, Los Angeles Times, 25 June 2024
Back in Westminster Memorial Park, where Tran and the rest of the attendees moved the Memorial Day processions to plant incense and South Vietnamese flags to honor 81 unknown Vietnamese airmen, a few local Vietnamese language reporters stood by, waiting to interview Tran.
—Ken Tran, USA TODAY, 9 June 2024
Ken Tran, USA TODAY, 11 June 2024
In the oil-rich Niger Delta region, armed groups incensed by environmental destruction and poverty began attacking oil infrastructure.
—Uzodinma Iweala, Foreign Affairs, 21 June 2022
See all Example Sentences for incense 
Noun
These ceremonies occur at night under the guidance of a healer with candles, flowers, incense and an altar with Catholic images.
—Leila Miller, Los Angeles Times, 25 June 2024
Back in Westminster Memorial Park, where Tran and the rest of the attendees moved the Memorial Day processions to plant incense and South Vietnamese flags to honor 81 unknown Vietnamese airmen, a few local Vietnamese language reporters stood by, waiting to interview Tran.
—Ken Tran, USA TODAY, 9 June 2024
Verb
That incensed Republicans and spurred them to draft contempt resolutions against Garland.
—Ken Tran, USA TODAY, 11 June 2024
In the oil-rich Niger Delta region, armed groups incensed by environmental destruction and poverty began attacking oil infrastructure.
—Uzodinma Iweala, Foreign Affairs, 21 June 2022
See all Example Sentences for incense
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'incense.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near incense
Cite this Entry
“Incense.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/incense. Accessed 15 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
incense
1 of 2 noun
in·cense
ˈin-ˌsen(t)s
1
a
: material used to produce a fragrant odor when burned
b
: the odor so produced
2
: a pleasing scent
incense
2 of 2 verb
in·cense
in-ˈsen(t)s
incensed; incensing
: to make very angry
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