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
O’Hara is a police chief pushed past his limits, struggling to quell violence instigated by federal law enforcement.
—
Isaac Stanley-Becker, The Atlantic, 30 Jan. 2026
In a 2019 chat with RuPaul, Lake said that witnessing planes flying into the World Trade Center on 9/11 was what instigated her desire to stop hosting.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Jan. 2026
In Anaheim last Sunday, photo and video evidence documented a violent confrontation instigated by ICE during a car wash raid.
—Jody Agius Vallejo, Oc Register, 28 Jan. 2026
The real-life friends instigated the project and serve as producers, with their obvious glee in playing off each other adding greatly to the enjoyment.
—Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 26 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for instigate
Isaac Stanley-Becker, The Atlantic, 30 Jan. 2026
In a 2019 chat with RuPaul, Lake said that witnessing planes flying into the World Trade Center on 9/11 was what instigated her desire to stop hosting.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Jan. 2026
In Anaheim last Sunday, photo and video evidence documented a violent confrontation instigated by ICE during a car wash raid.
—Jody Agius Vallejo, Oc Register, 28 Jan. 2026
The real-life friends instigated the project and serve as producers, with their obvious glee in playing off each other adding greatly to the enjoyment.
—Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 26 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for instigate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instigate
Verb
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Frederick Wiseman, the pioneering documentary filmmaker whose penetrating, observational depictions of public institutions raised ethical issues and provoked social examination, has died.—
Duane Byrge,
HollywoodReporter,
16 Feb. 2026
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As tariffs provoke backlash and global trade uncertainty, markets for Texas exports have been curtailed, clipping the wings of our economy.—
Eleanor Dearman,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
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There are more than 150 miles of tunnels across nine underground levels, and guests are encouraged to lick the walls.—
Maureen O'Hare,
CNN Money,
21 Feb. 2026
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Virgo The Saturn-Neptune conjunction occurs in your eighth house of intimacy, intimate bonds, and shared resources, encouraging you to grapple with boundaries and limitations tied to your closest relationships.—
Maressa Brown,
InStyle,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Prominent surfing family Van Dyke, originally from Santa Cruz, California, was recognized in the international surfing community for his participation in competitions and his influence in promoting the sport in the Caribbean region.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
17 Feb. 2026
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Books published in the last few years by Justices Ketanji Brown Jackson and Amy Coney Barrett were published in September, allowing time for the justices to promote them before diving into a new term.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA Today,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Varying grips, angles and equipment can also help stimulate different portions of the muscle and reduce plateaus.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
19 Feb. 2026
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Lemon water may help digestion by stimulating the release of stomach acid.—
Sarah Bence,
Verywell Health,
19 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Instigate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instigate. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
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