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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of instigate
Fogel is accused of instigating another chase involving Boerne police on May 30, and speeding by an officer at the scene of a crash, according to the release.
—
Mitchell Willetts, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Oct. 2025
But even then, Hewson and his team were the only people on the project trying to discover the instigating pathogen.
—JSTOR Daily, 17 Oct. 2025
Prosecutors say Carlos Maldonado instigated the beating of a 14-year-old boy last October and also negligently fired off a gun in February of this year.
—City News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Oct. 2025
Operators like Wu instigate wider adoption, and recent laws, such as the CHIPS & Science Act, now focus on both the research and development needed to produce results.
—K. H. Koehler, USA Today, 15 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for instigate
Mitchell Willetts, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Oct. 2025
But even then, Hewson and his team were the only people on the project trying to discover the instigating pathogen.
—JSTOR Daily, 17 Oct. 2025
Prosecutors say Carlos Maldonado instigated the beating of a 14-year-old boy last October and also negligently fired off a gun in February of this year.
—City News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Oct. 2025
Operators like Wu instigate wider adoption, and recent laws, such as the CHIPS & Science Act, now focus on both the research and development needed to produce results.
—K. H. Koehler, USA Today, 15 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for instigate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instigate
Verb
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However, this year's ad has provoked widespread criticism, with some even calling for a boycott of Sephora.—
Reia Li,
AZCentral.com,
4 Nov. 2025
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These characters are so thin, their storylines so flimsy and their motives so underbaked that there’s no recognizable emotion underlying any of it, and thus no feeling to be provoked by watching it.—
Angie Han,
HollywoodReporter,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Her administration has encouraged the siting of data centers in Michigan through sales and use tax exemptions.—
Keith Matheny,
Freep.com,
7 Nov. 2025
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For example, toddlers will benefit from toys that encourage them to build gross motor skills and work on early speech and literacy skills.—
Anja Webb,
Parents,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Similarly, the Interstate Consortium for the Sustainable Development of the Legal Amazon Region brings together Amazonian states to curb deforestation, promote green agriculture and attract green investment.—
MSNBC Newsweek,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
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Ausberry was promoted to the interim job in Woodward’s place, and the board gave him the authority to lead the coaching hire.—
Chris Vannini,
New York Times,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Cold showers stimulate the vagus nerve, reduce inflammation, and activate parts of the brain that can calm the body after long exposure.—
Khloe Quill,
FOXNews.com,
9 Nov. 2025
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The implication was that there could be an easily accessible, off-the-shelf shot capable of stimulating the immune system to fight cancer.—
Lisa Jarvis,
Twin Cities,
8 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Instigate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instigate. Accessed 10 Nov. 2025.
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