Synonyms of instigated

instigated

verb

past tense of instigate

1

as in provoked

to bring (something volatile or intense) into being

the medical breakthrough instigated a whole new field of therapy

Synonyms & Similar Words

• provoked
• triggered
• promoted
• encouraged
• raised
• incited
• fomented
• abetted
• stimulated
• picked
• brewed
• stirred (up)
• cultivated
• whipped (up)
• set in motion
• fermented
• fostered
• furthered
• inspired
• forwarded
• nurtured
• motivated
• roused
• sowed
• detonated
• set off
• nourished
• activated
• advanced
• set
• excited
• galvanized
• quickened
• enlivened
• inflamed
• fired
• energized
• invigorated
• vitalized
• livened (up)
• jazzed (up)
• pepped (up)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• held
• regulated
• checked
• inhibited
• curbed
• constrained
• restrained
• discouraged
• tamed
• reined (in)
• settled
• bridled
• calmed
• quieted
• subdued
• allayed
• soothed
• stilled
• tranquilized

2

as in encouraged

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

• provoked
• encouraged
• stimulated
• inspired
• stirred
• sparked
• incited
• aroused
• moved
• triggered
• motivated
• induced
• excited
• drove
• impassioned
• piqued
• fired (up)
• ignited
• revved (up)
• motived
• fomented
• activated
• kindled
• fanned
• angered
• abetted
• quickened
• built a fire under
• galvanized
• bothered
• enraged
• animated
• inflamed
• set off
• energized
• upset
• vitalized
• pumped up
• keyed (up)
• taunted
• whipped (up)
• teased
• raised
• aggravated
• fermented
• got
• maddened
• annoyed
• jeered
• exasperated
• vexed
• irritated
• galled

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• calmed
• subdued
• soothed
• appeased
• placated
• pacified
• mollified
• tranquilized

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of instigated

The ethnic standoff, first instigated by land disputes, adds another layer to the country’s ongoing civil war which broke out in April 2023 between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). — ABC News, 25 Aug. 2026

Now people on both sides of the border will pay for a senseless trade war instigated by a petulant and vengeful president. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 24 Aug. 2026

When a pandemic like Covid goes global, with wide stay-at-home policies instigated, oil and gas companies feel the commercial disaster very quickly. — Ian Dexter Palmer, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2026

That was a move partly instigated to develop a new crop of fast bowlers, but a home series defeat to Bangladesh two years ago and the loss of the first Test to England in October 2024 prompted the PCB to switch to spin-friendly tracks. — Ahsan Iftikhar Nagi, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026

Instead, the Citizens’ Council, a white supremacist organization, claimed Williams instigated the riots. — Aaron Coy Moulton, The Conversation, 7 Aug. 2026

Those same cartels instigated the crisis that gripped Mexico during my travels. — Vann R. Newkirk Ii, The Atlantic, 28 July 2026

John Tunstall’s store, the establishment of which instigated the Lincoln County Wars, is still stocked with original 19th-century merchandise such as ammunition and men’s suit buttons. — Allison Savage Bates, Denver Post, 19 July 2026

After notching two goals in the team’s 4-1 win over Paraguay on June 12, Balogun instigated the American scoring, in the 11th minute, on Friday. — Sean Gregory, Time, 20 June 2026