incur

/in'kə:/
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incur

People who smoke incur a great danger to their health.

Definition
  1. Verb (transitive):
    • To become subject to or experience something, typically something unpleasant or undesirable, as a result of one's own actions or behavior.
    • To bring something upon oneself; to make oneself liable or responsible for a consequence.
Usage

The verb "incur" is used when someone's actions directly cause them to experience a negative consequence, cost, or obligation. It is a formal word commonly used in legal, financial, and official contexts. It is followed by the negative consequence (e.g., a debt, a penalty, a cost).

Examples
  • Financial/Formal Context:
    • The company will incur significant expenses if the project is delayed.
    • By breaking the contract, you may incur a hefty penalty.
  • General Consequence:
    • His reckless comments incurred the wrath of his superiors.
    • She did not want to incur any further obligations.
Advanced Usage
  • "to incur the risk of (something)": To make oneself vulnerable to a specific danger or negative outcome.
    • Driving without a seatbelt incurs the risk of serious injury.
  • "to incur a liability": A legal and financial term meaning to become legally responsible for a debt or obligation.
    • The trustee can incur personal liability for breaches of duty.
Variants and Related Words
  • Incurred (verb, past tense/past participle): The form used for actions that have already happened.
    • The costs incurred during the trip were reimbursed.
  • Incurrence (noun): The act or fact of incurring something.
    • The incurrence of debt must be approved by the board.
Synonyms
  • Sustain: To undergo or suffer (something unpleasant).
  • Attract: To bring (something unwelcome) upon oneself through one's own behavior or properties.
  • Provoke: To stimulate or give rise to (a reaction or emotion, typically a strong or unwelcome one).
Phrasal Verbs

(Note: "Incur" is not typically used in phrasal verb constructions. The meaning is contained within the single verb.)

Related Idioms

(Note: There are no common idioms centered solely on the word "incur." Its usage is typically direct and formal.)

incur

People who smoke incur a great danger to their health.

Verb
  1. receive a specified treatment (abstract)
    • These aspects of civilization do not find expression or receive an interpretation
    • His movie received a good review
    • I got nothing but trouble for my good intentions
  2. make oneself subject to; bring upon oneself; become liable to
    • People who smoke incur a great danger to their health