instigate

American  

[in-sti-geyt] / ˈɪn stɪˌgeɪt /

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

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instigate British  

/ ˈɪnstɪˌɡeɪt /

verb

1. to bring about, as by incitement or urging

   to instigate rebellion

2. to urge on to some drastic or inadvisable action

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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; see in- ², -ate ¹; akin to stigma, stick ²

Explanation

When you instigate something, you start it, but the word carries conflict with it. If you are suspended for wearing a political t-shirt, the incident might instigate days of protest by students and faculty. Instigate comes from the Latin word instigare "to incite." People who are instigators often begin trouble but then back off and let others break the rules. If you instigate a food fight in the cafeteria, you might throw the first spoonful of mashed potatoes, but then you stop and let all the other students carry on the chaos. When something is instigated, the outcome tends to be unknown. The plan you instigate might not lead to the desired result.

Example Sentences

Instigate, in′sti-gāt, v.t. to urge on: to set on: to foment.—ns.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 2 of 4: E-M) by Various

Related Words

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