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

That lesson is that "normal people in certain contexts can commit, instigate or accept horrific violence".

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This portrayal of protesters as routinely instigating violence or rioting was also misleading.

Read more on Salon

The aim, one government source told me, is to "instigate an insurrection, so that people go against the government in Kyiv… they are trying to destroy social cohesion."

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I instigated that review in June, well before Mr Prescott's memo.

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“He hasn’t caused or instigated any harm to our country.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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