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
Relevance
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
Parents may worry their abuser could take custody of their children, or that calling 911 will instigate child welfare system involvement.
—
Kaitlyn M. Sims, The Conversation, 2 Dec. 2025
Not for Elliss, but Giants tight end Theo Johnson who instigated a fight on the sideline and drew an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 2 Dec. 2025
He has already been sentenced for 14 years and faces several lifetimes in prison in more than 150 cases charging him with offenses ranging from stealing state gifts to instigating a violent attack on military headquarters.
—Mohammed Hanif, Time, 1 Dec. 2025
During the war, Zelensky has fired a slew of senior Ukrainian officials over corruption allegations, and his government has instigated anti-corruption measures, including the National Anti-Corruption Strategy.
—Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 28 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for instigate
Kaitlyn M. Sims, The Conversation, 2 Dec. 2025
Not for Elliss, but Giants tight end Theo Johnson who instigated a fight on the sideline and drew an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 2 Dec. 2025
He has already been sentenced for 14 years and faces several lifetimes in prison in more than 150 cases charging him with offenses ranging from stealing state gifts to instigating a violent attack on military headquarters.
—Mohammed Hanif, Time, 1 Dec. 2025
During the war, Zelensky has fired a slew of senior Ukrainian officials over corruption allegations, and his government has instigated anti-corruption measures, including the National Anti-Corruption Strategy.
—Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 28 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for instigate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instigate
Verb
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His allies would say the victim had provoked their own death and blame Democrats for inciting the violence.—
Jonathan Chait,
The Atlantic,
25 Jan. 2026
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In the main event of SmackDown, Trick Williams defeated Damian Priest by DQ after provoking Sami Zayn.—
Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes.com,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Warned about assignments, encouraged to job hunt This story is based on interviews with 10 current and former Post staffers drawn from both the newsroom and the business side of the paper.—
David Folkenflik,
NPR,
30 Jan. 2026
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In a recent appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience, Matt Damon, the star of many movies that college students may not have seen, said that Netflix has started encouraging filmmakers to put action sequences in the first five minutes of a film to get viewers hooked.—
Rose Horowitch,
The Atlantic,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
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LinkedIn data reveals that employees who combine hard and soft skills get promoted about 8% faster than those who focus only on technical abilities, and skills like communication, teamwork and problem solving are linked to promotions up to 11% faster.—
Sho Dewan,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
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The project was planned to clear the area of outdated and dilapidated buildings, to attract new businesses and promote economic revitalization.—
Jessica Alvarado Gamez,
Denver Post,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Because of the false but persistent and powerfully seductive nostrum that reducing the value of a country’s currency will stimulate its economy by making its exports cheaper and its imports more expensive.—
Steve Forbes,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
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The two ingredients are packed with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties to help support a healthy scalp and promote blood circulation, which stimulates hair follicles.—
Melony Forcier,
InStyle,
29 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Instigate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instigate. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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