Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The phone call between US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer was brief, I am told, and was instigated by the White House.

From BBC • Feb. 28, 2026

Federal Housing Finance Agency director Bill Pulte last summer instigated this legal showdown by posting a criminal referral for Ms. Cook on social media.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 20, 2026

He has instigated protesters to continue to speak out and occupy government buildings.

From BBC • Jan. 16, 2026

Verse said Thursday that former Rams linebacker Michael Hoecht instigated the demonstration.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 15, 2026

Lawrence replied defensively that “the radio-sodium experiments were instigated by me alone,” adding, “I did suggest looking for artificial radioactivity this way and actively supervised the experiments.”

From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik