instigation

noun

in·​sti·​ga·​tion
plural -s
Synonyms of instigationnext
1
: an act of instigating or the state of being instigated : incitement
they agreed at our instigation to confer
the instigation of the new program
2
: something that instigates : incentive
his friends' approval was a real instigation to succeed

Word History

Etymology

Middle English instigacioun, from Middle French or Latin; Middle French instigation, from Latin instigation-, instigatio, from instigatus (past participle) + -ion-, -io -ion

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Cite this Entry

“Instigation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/instigation. Accessed 27 Dec. 2025.

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