1
as in provokes
to bring (something volatile or intense) into being
the medical breakthrough instigated a whole new field of therapy
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in encourages
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
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Recent Examples of instigates
This impasse instigates the Ten Plagues, which are listed below in English and Hebrew.
—
Encyclopedia Britannica, 31 Mar. 2026
This Ministry frequently interferes in employers’ decisions, instigates acts of discrimination by authorities and organizations, brings weight to bear on the organs of justice and even orchestrates propaganda campaigns in the media.
—Jonny Diamond, Literary Hub, 10 Oct. 2025
What ignites or instigates that response, outside of being done with the machine?
—Abbey White, HollywoodReporter, 25 Sep. 2025
Sagittariuses usually prefer to have the last word — which is exactly how Becky instigates matters with Robin.
—Lisa Stardust, PEOPLE, 19 Sep. 2025
Von then explains that drinking instigates the desire to do coke.
—Brady Brickner-Wood, The New Yorker, 10 Oct. 2024
Encyclopedia Britannica, 31 Mar. 2026
This Ministry frequently interferes in employers’ decisions, instigates acts of discrimination by authorities and organizations, brings weight to bear on the organs of justice and even orchestrates propaganda campaigns in the media.
—Jonny Diamond, Literary Hub, 10 Oct. 2025
What ignites or instigates that response, outside of being done with the machine?
—Abbey White, HollywoodReporter, 25 Sep. 2025
Sagittariuses usually prefer to have the last word — which is exactly how Becky instigates matters with Robin.
—Lisa Stardust, PEOPLE, 19 Sep. 2025
Von then explains that drinking instigates the desire to do coke.
—Brady Brickner-Wood, The New Yorker, 10 Oct. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instigates
Verb
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But the question of what is true or not is futile, even if Calle deliberately provokes this curiosity.—
Elisa Wouk Almino
Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Apr. 2026
-
The flurry of imagery provokes a surreal sort of whiplash.—
Kyle Chayka,
New Yorker,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
To manage that reality, Manning encourages newer teachers to establish boundaries early and stick to them.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
PEOPLE,
18 Apr. 2026
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Not all that long ago, Fox and Telemundo likely would have blanched at an ad that encourages sports fans to get up from their sofas.—
Anthony Crupi,
Sportico.com,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The nearly 3-minute song promotes confidence and self-expression with an upbeat tune.—
Joyann Jeffrey,
PEOPLE,
11 Apr. 2026
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But, what a lot of the longevity industry promotes offers drops in the bucket while things that can have the greatest impact go undervalued, Swisher said.—
Madeline Holcombe,
CNN Money,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Fortunately, certain types of mushrooms are exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light during or after harvesting, which stimulates vitamin D production in the mushrooms.—
Jillian Kubala,
Health,
6 Apr. 2026
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Beta-glucan also stimulates the release of GLP-1 from the gut, sending hormonal signals of fullness to the brain.—
Lauren Panoff,
Verywell Health,
3 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Instigates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instigates. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.
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