instigate

[ in-sti-geyt ]

verb (used with object)

, in·sti·gat·ed, in·sti·gat·ing.

1. to cause by incitement; foment:

   to instigate a quarrel.

   Synonyms: provoke, arouse

2. to urge, provoke, or incite to some action or course:

   to instigate the people to revolt.

   Synonyms: start, initiate, push, encourage, stimulate, induce

instigate

/ ˈɪnstɪˌɡeɪt /

verb

1. to bring about, as by incitement or urging

   to instigate rebellion

2. to urge on to some drastic or inadvisable action

Derived Forms

• ˈinstiˌgative, adjective
• ˈinstiˌgator, noun
• ˈinstiˌgatingly, adverb
• ˌinstiˈgation, noun

Other Words From

• in·sti·gat·ing·ly adverb
• in·sti·ga·tive adjective
• in·sti·ga·tor noun
• un·in·sti·gat·ed adjective
• un·in·sti·ga·tive adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of instigate¹

First recorded in 1535–45; from Latin instīgātus, past participle of instīgāre “to goad on, impel,” equivalent to in- “in” + -stīg- “to goad, prick” + -ātus past participle suffix; in- ², -ate ¹; akin to stigma, stick ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of instigate¹

C16: from Latin instīgāre to stimulate, incite; compare Greek stizein to prick

Example Sentences

Williams also knew that members of TheDonald community had indeed used the site to instigate the assault.

From Washington Post

Others took pains to point out Keller is never shown instigating any violence toward Capitol Police, at least in the parts of the videos made public.

From Washington Post

Plenty of professional athletes make use of this technique to perform under pressure, and one study found that you can instigate some small but significant muscle growth by simply visualizing an exercise.

From Popular-Science

The coronavirus pandemic has instigated civil unrest, an economic downturn and a public health crisis, but Ritchie Torres sees an opportunity for bold leadership to improve the nation.

From Washington Blade

In the case of Baltimore, as a ProPublica investigation explored in detail last year, a police pullback appeared to be an instigating element that combined with other problems to create a breakdown of civil order in the city.

From ProPublica

The liberated soul does not cease to act, to think, to create, to instigate revolutionary flows.

From The Daily Beast

What possible change can any one citizen instigate against that barrage of anti-intellectual, gun-toting paranoia?

From The Daily Beast

Republicans will continue to avoid a grand bargain and instigate crises.

From The Daily Beast

As such, the U.A.E. is not a bad place to instigate change in the region.

From The Daily Beast

And he is at a stage in his life now where he can instigate projects.

From The Daily Beast

Here the problem of food getting was fully solved and there was nothing to instigate any new step in evolution.

From Project Gutenberg

Behind him stood Temple, ever ready to instigate others to stab the objects of his hate.

From Project Gutenberg

Easy it was to instigate the ferocious spirit: in the heart of Sigurd stood his sword.

From Project Gutenberg

This idea had been always present to me, and had in no small degree conspired to instigate my exertions.

From Project Gutenberg

The want of money never stayed an Afghan raid—on the contrary it is more apt to instigate it.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• abet
• bring about
• foment
• incite
• inflame
• initiate
• kindle
• plot
• prompt
• spur
• whip up