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
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
Bianca Salonga, Forbes.com, 5 Apr. 2025
Leading the way in the march, Aztec dancers purified the air with incense made by burning the resin of the copal trees.
—Cathie Anderson, Sacbee.com, 30 Mar. 2025
Nnamdi Onyeagwara, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2025
This came after Longoria claimed Marseille were the victims of corruption following their 3-0 defeat by Auxerre on February 22, where he was incensed by referee Jeremy Stinat’s decision to show a second yellow card to defender Derek Cornelius.
—Nnamdi Onyeagwara, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for incense
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Noun
The iconic fragrance highlights the opulence of the Turkish rose as set against lush notes of amber, incense, and sandalwood.
—Bianca Salonga, Forbes.com, 5 Apr. 2025
Leading the way in the march, Aztec dancers purified the air with incense made by burning the resin of the copal trees.
—Cathie Anderson, Sacbee.com, 30 Mar. 2025
Verb
This came after Longoria claimed Marseille were the victims of corruption following their 3-0 defeat by Auxerre on February 22, where he was incensed by referee Jeremy Stinat’s decision to show a second yellow card to defender Derek Cornelius.
—Nnamdi Onyeagwara, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2025
This came after Longoria claimed Marseille were the victims of corruption following their 3-0 defeat by Auxerre on February 22, where he was incensed by referee Jeremy Stinat’s decision to show a second yellow card to defender Derek Cornelius.
—Nnamdi Onyeagwara, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for incense
Cite this Entry
“Incense.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/incense. Accessed 18 Apr. 2025.
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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