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incur

/ɪnˈkəː/verb

To bring something unwelcome, such as a cost or penalty, upon yourself.

Example sentences

  • “Late payments incur an extra fee.”
  • “The company incurred heavy losses during its first year of business.”

Pairs with unpleasant nouns: you incur costs, debts, or someone's anger, never anything welcome.

Featured as word of the day on February 6, 2026.

Synonyms for incur

  • run up
  • sustain
  • suffer

Often confused with incur

incur vs occur

Find it in: Advanced English words.

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