INSTIGATE Synonyms: 100 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'instigate' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of instigate are abet , foment , and incite . While all these words mean "to spur to action," instigate definitely implies responsibility for initiating another's action and often connotes underhandedness or evil intention. // instigated a conspiracy

Q: In what contexts can 'abet' take the place of 'instigate'?

In some situations, the words abet and instigate are roughly equivalent. However, abet implies both assisting and encouraging. // aiding and abetting the enemy

Q: When is it sensible to use 'foment' instead of 'instigate'?

Although the words foment and instigate have much in common, foment implies persistence in goading. // fomenting rebellion

Q: When would 'incite' be a good substitute for 'instigate'?

The meanings of incite and instigate largely overlap; however, incite stresses a stirring up and urging on, and may or may not imply initiating. // inciting a riot

instigate

verb

ˈin(t)-stə-ˌgāt

Definition of instigate next

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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb instigate contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of instigate are abet, foment, and incite. While all these words mean "to spur to action," instigate definitely implies responsibility for initiating another's action and often connotes underhandedness or evil intention.

instigated a conspiracy

In what contexts can abet take the place of instigate?

In some situations, the words abet and instigate are roughly equivalent. However, abet implies both assisting and encouraging.

aiding and abetting the enemy

When is it sensible to use foment instead of instigate?

Although the words foment and instigate have much in common, foment implies persistence in goading.

fomenting rebellion

When would incite be a good substitute for instigate?

The meanings of incite and instigate largely overlap; however, incite stresses a stirring up and urging on, and may or may not imply initiating.

inciting a riot

Example Sentences

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Recent Examples of instigate Are some teams better than others at four-on-four, and if so, doesn’t this give those teams an incentive to try to instigate the scrums and post-whistle confrontations that most coincidental minors come from? —

Sean McIndoe, New York Times, 20 Feb. 2026 The film, which screened at the Cannes Film Festival, shows LaBeouf berating actors and crew members, instigating a fistfight and engaging in other aggressive behavior. —

Michaela Zee, Variety, 18 Feb. 2026 Stewart received seven games for aggressively coming off the bench and instigating. —

Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 11 Feb. 2026 Defendant Metcalf provided false information to Defendant Johnson about what Plaintiff Kennedy allegedly said, thereby instigating and authorizing the publication of the defamatory and reckless statements, which were intended to harm Plaintiff Kennedy. —

Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 4 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for instigate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for instigate

Verb

The lone spark from the hosts was Ross Johnston’s decisive fight win against Tyler Tucker, though Johnston was assessed a major penalty for boarding on the hit that provoked the conflict.

— Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 9 Mar. 2026
What is beauty if not precisely the property that provokes us to abandon all pretense of analytic remove in our desperation to draw closer?

— Becca Rothfeld, New Yorker, 7 Mar. 2026