The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 6 letter word INCITE
I've seen this crossword clue in The Times
I
N
C
I
T
E
More clues leading to the result INCITE
- Provoke using popular quote
- Reporter’s apparent cause to act
- Encourage understanding on radio
- Urge is visible, we hear
- Encourage to be visible to audience
- Encourage awareness in speech
- Provoke citizen in middle of diner
- Prompt perceptible to the audience?
- Stir up egg on visible broadcast
- Encourage awareness when holding forth
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "cause to act" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case cause to act = incite.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does INCITE mean?
INCITE verb- To stir up or excite; to rouse or goad into action.