instigate

[in-sti-geyt]

verb (used with object)

instigated, instigating 

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

Other Word Forms

• instigatingly adverb
• instigative adjective
• instigator noun
• uninstigated adjective
• uninstigative adjective
• instigation noun

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

This is not the first time political arguments over health care policy have instigated a government shutdown.

Read more on Salon

On Thursday the pro-EU president of Moldova, Maia Sandu, accused the Kremlin of "pouring hundreds of millions of euros" into Moldova in an attempt to instigate violence and spread fear.

Read more on BBC

Please instigate a “no call zone” that covers the Dodger bullpen.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Here is a president who dealt with electoral loss by claiming fraud and by instigating his military and civilian supporters to violence, and who has been held decisively to account.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Its democracy is young – it was only restored in 1985 after two decades of a dictatorship, instigated by a military coup, backed by the US.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

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