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
Recent Examples on the Web
Michael Laris, Washington Post, 25 Mar. 2024
There was a shop called The Treasure Chest that sold incense, black light posters and other trippy knick-knacks — not unlike like Dadeland Mall’s The Barefoot Mailman.
—Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 22 Mar. 2024
From spraying it on fabrics to using it as your room’s aerosol, the fragrance is multi-use and comes as an incense as well.
—India Espy-Jones, Essence, 15 Mar. 2024
Buy Now Homesick Barbie Dreamhouse Candle Diptyque Amber Candle
Evoke the aura of a cackling fire with this woody scent from Diptyque, which features notes of wood, vetiver and patchouli enhanced with radiant aniseed, insolent spices, mysterious incense, cistus and tonka bean.
—Anna Tingley, Variety, 23 Feb. 2024
While her husband lit cones of incense, Amarjargal donned the shaman's headdress, known as an umsgol.
—Stanley Stewart, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Mar. 2024
This is made easier by putting a playlist on, lighting candles, and burning incense.
—Debra Edwards, Essence, 21 Mar. 2024
Meyers has observed death rituals that include praying, burning incense, wrapping a deceased pet’s body in a white sheet, and opening a window for a pet’s spirit to exit.
—Justin Wm. Moyer, Washington Post, 29 Feb. 2024
Other Vietnamese traditions for Lunar New Year include burning incense and inviting ancestors to join in celebrations.
—Dina Kaur, The Arizona Republic, 22 Jan. 2024
Noah Goldberg, Los Angeles Times, 26 Feb. 2024
Ivorian players and fans were incensed that referee Pierre Atcho failed to award a penalty after Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy brought down former Arsenal winger Pepe in the box.
—Matias Grez, CNN, 30 Jan. 2024
In the days before the funeral, as its details leaked out, these critics—many of whom were military veterans—became increasingly incensed.
—Elliot Ackerman, WIRED, 9 Feb. 2024
Vichy officials were incensed at the presence of Jews in the royal court.
—Theo Zenou, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 Mar. 2024
Ivar Cole was once again incensed that Valhalla wasn’t wearing antlers.
—Alfred Konuwa, Forbes, 12 Feb. 2024
Pistons coach Monty Williams was incensed after the game and delivered a furious rant in the media room.
—Sam Joseph, CNN, 27 Feb. 2024
Napoli was incensed by the sending off and other refereeing decisions and no one spoke to the media apart from De Laurentiis.
—Daniella Matar, USA TODAY, 25 Jan. 2024
But members of the caucus said they were still incensed about the range of restrictive policies the administration had been willing to entertain, according to people familiar with the private meeting who discussed it on the condition of anonymity.
—Karoun Demirjian, New York Times, 18 Dec. 2023
Noun
Wong and others in the 17-person group bow three times, holding the burning incense in memory of the Chinese immigrants buried here.
—Michael Laris, Washington Post, 25 Mar. 2024
There was a shop called The Treasure Chest that sold incense, black light posters and other trippy knick-knacks — not unlike like Dadeland Mall’s The Barefoot Mailman.
—Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 22 Mar. 2024
From spraying it on fabrics to using it as your room’s aerosol, the fragrance is multi-use and comes as an incense as well.
—India Espy-Jones, Essence, 15 Mar. 2024
Buy Now Homesick Barbie Dreamhouse Candle Diptyque Amber Candle
Evoke the aura of a cackling fire with this woody scent from Diptyque, which features notes of wood, vetiver and patchouli enhanced with radiant aniseed, insolent spices, mysterious incense, cistus and tonka bean.
—Anna Tingley, Variety, 23 Feb. 2024
While her husband lit cones of incense, Amarjargal donned the shaman's headdress, known as an umsgol.
—Stanley Stewart, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Mar. 2024
This is made easier by putting a playlist on, lighting candles, and burning incense.
—Debra Edwards, Essence, 21 Mar. 2024
Meyers has observed death rituals that include praying, burning incense, wrapping a deceased pet’s body in a white sheet, and opening a window for a pet’s spirit to exit.
—Justin Wm. Moyer, Washington Post, 29 Feb. 2024
Other Vietnamese traditions for Lunar New Year include burning incense and inviting ancestors to join in celebrations.
—Dina Kaur, The Arizona Republic, 22 Jan. 2024
Verb
Students in the hallway become incensed, getting in Roth’s face and yelling.
—Noah Goldberg, Los Angeles Times, 26 Feb. 2024
Ivorian players and fans were incensed that referee Pierre Atcho failed to award a penalty after Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy brought down former Arsenal winger Pepe in the box.
—Matias Grez, CNN, 30 Jan. 2024
In the days before the funeral, as its details leaked out, these critics—many of whom were military veterans—became increasingly incensed.
—Elliot Ackerman, WIRED, 9 Feb. 2024
Vichy officials were incensed at the presence of Jews in the royal court.
—Theo Zenou, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 Mar. 2024
Ivar Cole was once again incensed that Valhalla wasn’t wearing antlers.
—Alfred Konuwa, Forbes, 12 Feb. 2024
Pistons coach Monty Williams was incensed after the game and delivered a furious rant in the media room.
—Sam Joseph, CNN, 27 Feb. 2024
Napoli was incensed by the sending off and other refereeing decisions and no one spoke to the media apart from De Laurentiis.
—Daniella Matar, USA TODAY, 25 Jan. 2024
But members of the caucus said they were still incensed about the range of restrictive policies the administration had been willing to entertain, according to people familiar with the private meeting who discussed it on the condition of anonymity.
—Karoun Demirjian, New York Times, 18 Dec. 2023
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 19 Apr. 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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