1
as in to provoke
to bring (something volatile or intense) into being
the medical breakthrough instigated a whole new field of therapy
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to encourage
to rouse to strong feeling or action
the charge that the scene in the movie had instigated teenagers to commit similar acts of vandalism
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of instigate
At the same time, the Park Service closes the Stonewall Historic Monument that marks the 1969 Stonewall uprising in New York’s Greenwich Village that helped instigate the Gay Liberation movement?
—
William C. Hine, Twin Cities, 23 July 2025
Brit enters the event immediately, ready to instigate Kelli in retaliation for the icy reception from her estranged bestie.
—Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 23 June 2025
This was Israel’s nightmare scenario that Hamas tried to instigate with its attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.
—Oren Liebermann, CNN Money, 17 June 2025
The group instigated a fight, after which the boy shot into the crowd, Hildebrand said.
—Max Levy, Denver Post, 6 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for instigate
William C. Hine, Twin Cities, 23 July 2025
Brit enters the event immediately, ready to instigate Kelli in retaliation for the icy reception from her estranged bestie.
—Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 23 June 2025
This was Israel’s nightmare scenario that Hamas tried to instigate with its attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.
—Oren Liebermann, CNN Money, 17 June 2025
The group instigated a fight, after which the boy shot into the crowd, Hildebrand said.
—Max Levy, Denver Post, 6 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for instigate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instigate
Verb
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As a futurist, my role was to provoke fresh insight and decisive action.—
Lisa Bodell,
Forbes.com,
13 Aug. 2025
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Casey Durkin—Bravo While Jax, surely at the urging of producers, tried to provoke Kristen by questioning her fertility choices, nothing major happened in the premiere.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
13 Aug. 2025
Verb
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In addition to the sheer number of users on the platform, YouTube’s algorithm encourages the viewing of additional video podcasts, which also helps the numbers.—
Caitlin Huston,
HollywoodReporter,
5 Aug. 2025
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Health officials encouraged residents to educate themselves of the potential risks associated with consumption of raw milk.—
Vanessa Etienne,
People.com,
5 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Certain strains of probiotics have been shown to have anti-cancer effects and promote the death of cancer cells.4 2.—
Jessica Swirble,
Verywell Health,
5 Aug. 2025
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Health care may include the use of hormones to delay puberty in adolescents, behavioral health counseling to support and promote the gender identity with which a person aligns, and hormone replacement therapy.—
Natalie Eilbert,
jsonline.com,
5 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Typically, a sluggish economy leads to low inflation, allowing the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates to stimulate more borrowing and activity.—
Paul Davidson,
USA Today,
16 Aug. 2025
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Deadheading helps prevent the formation of seeds and stimulates additional flowering.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
15 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Instigate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instigate. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.
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