instigate

[ in-sti-geyt ]

/ ˈɪn stɪˌgeɪt /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for: instigate / instigated / instigating / instigative 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.

OTHER WORDS FOR instigate

1 arouse, provoke.

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

See synonyms for instigate on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

TEST YOUR MERIT ON THESE NEW WORDS IN 2021

The Dictionary added new words and definition to our vast collection, and we want to see how well-versed you are in the formally recognized new lingo. Take the quiz!

Question 1 of 8

What does JEDI stand for?

justice, equity, diversity, inclusion

justice, energy, determination, instruction

joy, equality, diversity, involvement

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Meet Grammar Coach

Write or paste your essay, email, or story into Grammar Coach and get grammar help

Improve Your Writing

Meet Grammar CoachImprove Your Writing

Origin of 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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

How to use instigate in a sentence

It’s true that the Kennedy administration instigated use of the doctrine against right-wing radio, whereas it was less often used as a tool against liberal speech.
Restoring the Fairness Doctrine can’t prevent another Rush Limbaugh|Heather Hendershot|February 19, 2021|Washington Post
Nor do I believe that was what the president was instigating.
The South Sudan Clashes Are No Tribal War|Valentino Deng|December 30, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Instigating military involvement without considering these issues is nothing more than a short-sighted action.
A Plea for Peace in Syria|Majid Rafizadeh|September 26, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Australian brand Solid Gold Bomb was caught hawking rape-themed T-shirts on Amazon's UK site, instigating public horror.
Rape Slogan T-Shirts Spark Outrage|Misty White Sidell|March 4, 2013|DAILY BEAST

Bakkar and his fellow Salafists were blamed by some for instigating the chaos, though they condemned the violence from the start.
Nader Bakkar, Salafist Spokeman, on the Embassy Riots and Bridge Building in a Post–Arab Spring Egypt|Mike Giglio|September 25, 2012|DAILY BEAST
But he said he later saw a police report accusing him of instigating the violence and organizing a riot outside the courtroom.
Chess Champ Garry Kasparov: ‘They Were Trying to Break My Leg’|Eli Lake|August 17, 2012|DAILY BEAST
The Hotri, the immortal god goes in front with his secret power, instigating the sacrifices.
Sacred Books of the East|Various
His merit in that eminence was, by instigating a tyrant to injustice, to provoke a people to rebellion.
The Ontario Readers: The High School Reader, 1886|Ministry of Education
He has so far succeeded in instigating the Boer nation to acts which involve the forfeiture of their special heirlooms.
Origin of the Anglo-Boer War Revealed (2nd ed.)|C. H. Thomas
After lunch Lady Carbury strolled about with her son, instigating him to go over at once to Caversham.
The Way We Live Now|Anthony Trollope
One would never suspect, when reading it, that Germany had played any part in instigating the negotiation.
The Life and Letters of Walter H. Page, Volume I|Burton J. Hendrick

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

OTHER WORDS FOR instigate

Origin of instigate

OTHER WORDS FROM instigate

Words related to instigate

How to use instigate in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for instigate

Derived forms of instigate

Word Origin for instigate