instigate

verb

in·​sti·​gate ˈin(t)-stə-ˌgāt 

instigated; instigating

transitive verb

: to goad or urge forward : provoke

instigation

ˌin(t)-stə-ˈgā-shən 

noun

instigative

ˈin(t)-stə-ˌgā-tiv 

adjective

instigator

ˈin(t)-stə-ˌgā-tər 

noun

Did you know?

It's time to investigate the true meaning of instigate. Instigate is often used as a synonym of incite (as in "siblings instigating a fight"), 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"), while 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"). Coming from a form of the Latin verb instigare ("to urge on or provoke"), instigate stepped into English in the 1500s, roughly a century after incite.

Synonyms

• abet
• brew
• ferment
• foment
• incite
• pick
• provoke
• raise
• stir (up)
• whip (up)

Choose the Right Synonym for instigate

incite, instigate, abet, foment mean to spur to action.

incite stresses a stirring up and urging on, and may or may not imply initiating.

inciting a riot

instigate definitely implies responsibility for initiating another's action and often connotes underhandedness or evil intention.

instigated a conspiracy

abet implies both assisting and encouraging.

aiding and abetting the enemy

foment implies persistence in goading.

fomenting rebellion

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 on the Web

What Trump and immigration czar Tom Homan are attempting to do is to instigate a problem. —New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 10 June 2025

This trip was instigated by Charlotte, ostensibly so that the two sisters could improve their teaching qualifications at a Belgian school. —Erik Pedersen, Oc Register, 6 June 2025

The series was instigated by music manager Scooter Braun’s purchase and sale of her early catalog and represents Swift’s effort to control her own songs and how they’re used. —Maria Sherman, Chicago Tribune, 30 May 2025

Besides, Angela already got her lick back from Porsha’s comments about Charles by instigating the already precarious relationship between Porsha and her bestie and bringing Drew the news that Porsha filmed with Dennis. —Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 2 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin instigatus, past participle of instigare — more at stick

First Known Use

1542, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for instigate

• abdicate
• abrogate
• acetate
• activate
• actuate
• adsorbate
• aggravate
• agitate
• alginate
• alienate
• allocate
• amputate

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Kids Definition

instigate

verb

in·​sti·​gate ˈin(t)-stə-ˌgāt 

instigated; instigating

: incite, provoke

instigation

ˌin(t)-stə-ˈgā-shən 

noun

instigator

ˈin(t)-stə-ˌgāt-ər 

noun