instigate

verb

in·​sti·​gate ˈin(t)-stə-ˌgāt How to pronounce instigate (audio)
instigated; instigating

transitive verb

: to goad or urge forward : provoke
instigation noun
instigative adjective
instigator 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.

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In the past, supporting coaches would instigate one-on-one chats to explain Guardiola’s thinking; however, it was claimed last year that this didn’t occur. Zak Garner-Purkis, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025 But even if Khamenei was content to suffer a prolonged war and the casualties that come with it, there still exists the growing threat of a regime change being instigated by the conflict. Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 18 June 2025 Trent Frederic instigated a fight with Florida’s Sam Bennett, and Bennett took him to the ice. Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 10 June 2025 Safe Return is also designed to instigate an automatic landing if the pilot does not initiate any inputs for more than 30 minutes at cruise and does not respond to prompts, or shorter intervals at very high altitudes where hypoxia is more likely to occur. Basem Wasef, Robb Report, 13 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for instigate

Word History

Etymology

Latin instigatus, past participle of instigare — more at stick

First Known Use

1542, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of instigate was in 1542

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Cite this Entry

“Instigate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/instigate. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

instigate

verb
in·​sti·​gate ˈin(t)-stə-ˌgāt How to pronounce instigate (audio)
instigated; instigating
instigation noun
instigator noun

More from Merriam-Webster on instigate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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