instigate

[ in-sti-geyt ]

/ ˈɪn stɪˌgeɪt /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR instigate ON THESAURUS.COM

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.

Nearby words

Origin of instigate

1535–45; < Latin instīgātus past participle of instīgāre to goad on, impel, equivalent to in- in-² + -stīg- goad, prick (akin to stigma, stick²) + -ātus -ate¹

SYNONYMS FOR instigate

1 arouse, provoke.

2 induce, stimulate, encourage, push; initiate, start.

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Related forms

in·sti·gat·ing·ly, adverbin·sti·ga·tive, adjectivein·sti·ga·tor, in·sti·gant

[in-sti-guhnt] /ˈɪn stɪ gənt/, nounun·in·sti·gat·ed, adjective

un·in·sti·ga·tive, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for instigate

The liberated soul does not cease to act, to think, to create, to instigate revolutionary flows.
On Torture, Chuck Johnson & Sondheim|James Poulos|December 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Republicans will continue to avoid a grand bargain and instigate crises.
No Matter How Crazy Washington Is, Americans Can’t Stop Shopping|Daniel Gross|March 13, 2013|DAILY BEAST
As such, the U.A.E. is not a bad place to instigate change in the region.
Global Women’s Group Makes a Move|Jimmy So|September 20, 2011|DAILY BEAST
And he is at a stage in his life now where he can instigate projects.
Christopher Plummer's Depths|Lorenza Muñoz|June 2, 2011|DAILY BEAST

He's always trying to instigate and stuff like that, and my friends back home don't do that.
DJ Pauly D Sounds Off|Marlow Stern|March 23, 2011|DAILY BEAST
He requires no money reward to instigate him to excellence, as do those who deal in racehorses and run for prizes.
Travelling Sketches.|Anthony Trollope
A few words from her were enough to instigate the Onzarian officer to challenge you.
Evil Out of Onzar|Mark Ganes
To instigate the slave to insurrection is a crime for which no rebuke and no punishment can be too severe.
Slavery|William E. Channing
Easy it was to instigate the ferocious spirit: in the heart of Sigurd stood his sword.
The Elder Eddas of Saemund Sigfusson; and the Younger Eddas of Snorre Sturleson|Saemund Sigfusson and Snorre Sturleson
Abet and instigate are now used almost without exception in a bad sense; one may incite either to good or evil.
English Synonyms and Antonyms|James Champlin Fernald

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 Formsinstigatingly, adverbinstigation, nouninstigative, adjectiveinstigator, noun

Word Origin for instigate

C16: from Latin instīgāre to stimulate, incite; compare Greek stizein to prick

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for instigate

instigate

1540s, back-formation from instigation or else from Latin instigatus, past participle of instigare "to urge on, incite" (see instigation). Related: Instigated; instigates; instigating.

instigate

verb (used with object), in·sti·gat·ed, in·sti·gat·ing.

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of instigate

Examples from the Web for instigate

British Dictionary definitions for instigate

instigate

verb (tr)

Word Origin for instigate

Word Origin and History for instigate

instigate