incur

Incur is a transitive verb meaning to become liable for or subject to something undesirable as a result of one’s actions. It is most commonly used with financial consequences, such as costs, debts, penalties, and liabilities, but can also apply to other outcomes like anger or risk. Phrases such as “to incur expenses,” “to incur a debt,” and “to incur penalties” are standard in formal and professional writing. The expression can appear in active voice with an explicit object, as in “The project incurred substantial costs,” or in noun phrases such as “expenses incurred.”

Etymology and background: Incur comes from Middle English incurre(n), from Old French encurrir, from Latin incurrere, literally “to run into” or “to run upon.” The sense of bringing about liability or exposure developed over time and remains common in legal, financial, and administrative contexts. The past participle is incurred, and the related noun incurrence refers to the act or instance of incurring.

Usage notes: Incur is relatively formal and often appears in professional or technical writing. It is typically used with nouns that denote obligations or penalties, such as costs, debts, liabilities, fines, and risks. It can also occur with people or groups, as in “to incur the displeasure of the authorities” or “to incur someone’s wrath,” though such uses are less frequent than its financial sense. Antonyms include avoid, prevent, or avert.