instigate
Americanverb
-
to bring about, as by incitement or urging
to instigate rebellion
-
to urge on to some drastic or inadvisable action
Other Word Forms
- instigatingly adverb
- instigation noun
- instigative adjective
- instigator noun
- uninstigated adjective
- uninstigative adjective
Etymology
Origin of instigate
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
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"We are against all scenarios that aim to instigate a civil war in Iran, that target ethnic or religious fault lines," Fidan told journalists in Istanbul.
From Barron's • Mar. 7, 2026
Meo co-owner Tannis Ling, who spent many weekends in Chinatown with her family as a child, has helped instigate Chinatown’s resurgence.
From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 27, 2025
Nigel Farage needs to instigate an urgent review of his entire Staffordshire operation.
From BBC • Dec. 5, 2025
Please instigate a “no call zone” that covers the Dodger bullpen.
From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 20, 2025
Did workers, too, ever instigate violence in pursuit of their cause?
From "Fannie Never Flinched" by Mary Cronk Farrell
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
