instigate

verb in·sti·gate \ ˈin(t)-stə-ˌgāt \

Updated on: 13 May 2018

Definition of instigate

instigated; instigating

transitive verb

: to goad or urge forward : provoke

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instigation

play \ˌin(t)-stə-ˈgā-shən\ noun

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instigative

play \ˈin(t)-stə-ˌgā-tiv\ adjective

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instigator

play \ˈin(t)-stə-ˌgā-tər\ noun

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Examples of instigate in a Sentence

There has been an increase in the amount of violence instigated by gangs.
The government has instigated an investigation into the cause of the accident.

Recent Examples of instigate from the Web

For small to medium sized enterprises, change is often instigated by outside expertise.

— laine welch, Anchorage Daily News, "A look at commercial fishing fatalities," 6 May 2018
It was instigated by Sir Charles Bunbury, who had earlier established The Derby at Epsom.

— rob hodgetts, CNN, "Why the Derby, Oaks, Guineas and St. Leger are known as the Classics," 4 May 2018
The fascinating modern historic events there now were instigated by an unorthodox president who may be about to accomplish what orthodox leaders never could.

— andrew malcolm, San Francisco Chronicle, "Trump’s Korea initiative is risky and unprecedented," 2 May 2018
The case was instigated by Samir Sabry, a private lawyer who has brought numerous cases against Mr. Sisi’s critics in the news media.

— declan walsh, New York Times, "Egyptian Military Court Sentences Sisi Critic to 5 Years in Prison," 24 Apr. 2018
The brawl was instigated in the third inning when Austin slid hard into shortstop Brock Holt trying to break up a double play.

— bob nightengale, USA TODAY, "Red Sox-Yankees brawl: Benches clear after Joe Kelly hits Tyler Austin," 11 Apr. 2018
Matheson got two minutes for instigating, five for fighting and 10 for an instigator misconduct penalty.

— matthew defranks, Sun-Sentinel.com, "The Next Day Look: Florida Panthers 3, Boston Bruins 0," 16 Mar. 2018
But among the myriad counter-protesters, USA Today reported police also encountered members of ANTIFA, a group known for wearing masks during its demonstrations and one that's instigated brawls and violent disruptions in the past.

— ryan gaydos, Fox News, "Backlash after cops arrest masked protesters at ANTIFA demonstration near neo-Nazi rally," 23 Apr. 2018
But then Elvira’s ghost appears to Charles and begins instigating all kinds of trouble in a superficial romp that is beautifully paced to play’s end.

— patti restivo, Howard County Times, "Spirited comedy, courtesy of APL scientists," 19 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'instigate.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Did You Know?

Instigate is often used as a synonym of incite (as in "hoodlums instigating violence"), but the two words differ slightly in their overall usage. Incite usually stresses an act of stirring something up that one did not necessarily initiate ("the court's decision incited riots"). Instigate implies responsibility for initiating or encouraging someone else's action and usually suggests dubious or underhanded intent ("he was charged with instigating a conspiracy"). Another similar word, foment, implies causing something by means of persistent goading ("the leader's speeches fomented a rebellion"). Deriving from the past participle of the Latin verb instigare, instigate first appeared in English in the mid-16th century, approximately 60 years after incite and about 70 years before foment.