instigate

1 to bring (something volatile or intense) into being the medical breakthrough instigated a whole new field of therapy Synonyms of instigate abet, brew, ferment, foment, incite, pick, provoke, raise, stir (up), whip (up)Words Related to instigate advance, cultivate, encourage, forward, foster, further, nourish, nurture, promote, sow, stimulate; detonate, set, set off, trigger; excite, galvanize, inflame (also enflame), inspire, motivate, rouse; activate, energize, enliven, fire, invigorate, jazz (up), liven (up), pep (up), quicken, stimulate, vitalizeNear Antonyms of instigate bridle, check, constrain, curb, discourage, hold, inhibit, regulate, rein (in), restrain, tame; allay, calm, quiet, settle, soothe, still, subdue, tranquilize (also tranquillize)

2 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 of instigate arouse, encourage, excite, fire (up), impassion, incite, provoke, move, pique, rev (up), spark, stimulate, stirWords Related to instigate fan, ignite, inflame (also enflame), kindle, trigger; activate, animate, drive, energize, galvanize, induce, inspire, key (up), motivate, motive, pump up, quicken, set off, vitalize; abet, ferment, foment, raise, whip (up); anger, enrage, madden, upset; jeer, taunt, tease; aggravate, annoy, bother, exasperate, gall, get, irritate, vexNear Antonyms of instigate calm, soothe, subdue, tranquilize (also tranquillize); appease, mollify, pacify, placate