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, -ate¹; akin to stigma, stick²

OTHER WORDS FROM instigate

in·sti·gat·ing·ly, adverbin·sti·ga·tive, adjectivein·sti·ga·tor, nounun·in·sti·gat·ed, adjective

un·in·sti·ga·tive, adjective

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. 2022

How to use instigate in a sentence

Williams also knew that members of TheDonald community had indeed used the site to instigate the assault.
TheDonald’s owner speaks out on why he finally pulled plug on hate-filled site|Craig Timberg, Drew Harwell|February 5, 2021|Washington Post
Others took pains to point out Keller is never shown instigating any violence toward Capitol Police, at least in the parts of the videos made public.
From Olympic medalist to Capitol rioter: The fall of Klete Keller|Dave Sheinin, Rick Maese|January 15, 2021|Washington Post
Plenty of professional athletes make use of this technique to perform under pressure, and one study found that you can instigate some small but significant muscle growth by simply visualizing an exercise.
How to make the most of meditation with science|Jessica Boddy|January 1, 2021|Popular-Science
The coronavirus pandemic has instigated civil unrest, an economic downturn and a public health crisis, but Ritchie Torres sees an opportunity for bold leadership to improve the nation.
Ritchie Torres, set to be first out Afro-Latino in Congress, seeks big changes amid COVID|Chris Johnson|September 9, 2020|Washington Blade

In the case of Baltimore, as a ProPublica investigation explored in detail last year, a police pullback appeared to be an instigating element that combined with other problems to create a breakdown of civil order in the city.
What Can Mayors Do When the Police Stop Doing Their Jobs?|by Alec MacGillis|September 3, 2020|ProPublica
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
What possible change can any one citizen instigate against that barrage of anti-intellectual, gun-toting paranoia?
As Parents We’re All Gun Violence Cowards|William Giraldi|May 30, 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
Here the problem of food getting was fully solved and there was nothing to instigate any new step in evolution.
Man And His Ancestor|Charles Morris
Behind him stood Temple, ever ready to instigate others to stab the objects of his hate.
The Political History of England - Vol. X.|William Hunt
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
This idea had been always present to me, and had in no small degree conspired to instigate my exertions.
Caleb Williams|William Godwin
The want of money never stayed an Afghan raid—on the contrary it is more apt to instigate it.
The Gates of India|Thomas Holdich

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, 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

instigate

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How to use instigate in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for instigate

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Word Origin for instigate