instigate
[ in-sti-geyt ]
/ ˈɪn stɪˌgeɪt /
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verb (used with object), in·sti·gat·ed, in·sti·gat·ing.
to cause by incitement; foment: to instigate a quarrel.
to urge, provoke, or incite to some action or course: to instigate the people to revolt.
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“Was” is used for the indicative past tense of “to be,” and “were” is only used for the subjunctive past tense.
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Origin of instigate
OTHER WORDS FROM instigate
Words nearby instigate
in statu quo, instauration, instead, instead of, instep, instigate, instigation, instigator, instil, instill, instillation
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for instigate
British Dictionary definitions for instigate
instigate
/ (ˈɪnstɪˌɡeɪt) /
verb (tr)
to bring about, as by incitement or urgingto instigate rebellion
to urge on to some drastic or inadvisable action
Derived forms of instigate
instigatingly, adverbinstigation, nouninstigative, adjectiveinstigator, nounWord Origin for instigate
C16: from Latin instīgāre to stimulate, incite; compare Greek stizein to prick
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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