as in provocative
serving or likely to arouse a strong reaction
an artist who deliberately creates instigating works of art that are sure to arouse controversy
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in provoking
to bring (something volatile or intense) into being
the medical breakthrough instigated a whole new field of therapy
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in encouraging
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 instigating
Emma Specter, Vogue, 10 Mar. 2026
Faber also came to his defense after he was hit from behind by Jeremy Lauzon in the second period, earning 17 minutes of penalties after instigating a fight.
—Michael Russo, New York Times, 7 Mar. 2026
Massie has had a contentious relationship with GOP leaders, often voting against priority legislation and instigating the release of the Epstein files, which Trump had long opposed.
—Dan Mangan,garrett Downs,spencer Kimball,megan Sauer, CNBC, 24 Feb. 2026
The film, which screened at the Cannes Film Festival, shows LaBeouf berating actors and crew members, instigating a fistfight and engaging in other aggressive behavior.
—Michaela Zee, Variety, 18 Feb. 2026
Stewart received seven games for aggressively coming off the bench and instigating.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 11 Feb. 2026
Defendant Metcalf provided false information to Defendant Johnson about what Plaintiff Kennedy allegedly said, thereby instigating and authorizing the publication of the defamatory and reckless statements, which were intended to harm Plaintiff Kennedy.
—Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 4 Feb. 2026
Exactly who is instigating public unrest or stirring up public feeling is a matter of interpretation.
—Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 14 Jan. 2026
The players aren’t the only ones instigating these moves.
—David Eckert, Austin American Statesman, 9 Jan. 2026
Verb
The kind of instigating prompt was my former teacher, the author Lydia Yuknavitch, asking where the rage lived in my work, because Long Live was so much about forgiveness and tenderness and understanding.
—Emma Specter, Vogue, 10 Mar. 2026
Faber also came to his defense after he was hit from behind by Jeremy Lauzon in the second period, earning 17 minutes of penalties after instigating a fight.
—Michael Russo, New York Times, 7 Mar. 2026
Massie has had a contentious relationship with GOP leaders, often voting against priority legislation and instigating the release of the Epstein files, which Trump had long opposed.
—Dan Mangan,garrett Downs,spencer Kimball,megan Sauer, CNBC, 24 Feb. 2026
The film, which screened at the Cannes Film Festival, shows LaBeouf berating actors and crew members, instigating a fistfight and engaging in other aggressive behavior.
—Michaela Zee, Variety, 18 Feb. 2026
Stewart received seven games for aggressively coming off the bench and instigating.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 11 Feb. 2026
Defendant Metcalf provided false information to Defendant Johnson about what Plaintiff Kennedy allegedly said, thereby instigating and authorizing the publication of the defamatory and reckless statements, which were intended to harm Plaintiff Kennedy.
—Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 4 Feb. 2026
Exactly who is instigating public unrest or stirring up public feeling is a matter of interpretation.
—Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 14 Jan. 2026
The players aren’t the only ones instigating these moves.
—David Eckert, Austin American Statesman, 9 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instigating
Adjective
-
If the storytelling were tighter and more successfully focused on its more sociologically provocative elements, Detective Hole could have settled into the overstuffed genre’s top tier rather than taking a place in the acceptable middle.—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
25 Mar. 2026
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But this crop of youthful, intentionally provocative antisemites is novel in some ways.—
Suzanne Schneider,
The New York Review of Books,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Those forces may give the president more leverage in his negotiations, but also risk fueling Tehran's resentment and provoking a harsher response, analysts say.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Women and girls are asked to imagine themselves as a river, provoking powerful reflection on the culture of gender in post-Soviet Asia.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Felder suggested that the Beth El rabbis send out a congregation-wide e-mail offering guidance on how to respond to the humanitarian crisis—say, by directing members to relief groups or by encouraging members to contact their representatives in Congress to exert pressure on Israel.—
Eyal Press,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
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Your 4th House of Protection hosts contentment-seeking Venus, encouraging you to take comfort in your private world.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
At a charged political moment, her relatively sober look seemed intended to keep the focus on POTUS.—
Vogue,
Vogue,
12 Dec. 2025
-
What Happens Next Greene is likely to continue stoking controversy by breaking with her party, as conversations around immigration remain charged and divisive.—
Alia Shoaib,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Several of her Instagram posts also included hashtags promoting Swift’s album.—
Joe Kottke,
NBC news,
30 Mar. 2026
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Chestnut said in an Instagram story, promoting a clip from the Sunday, March 29, episode, in which Watson is reunited with Sherlock.—
Taijuan Moorman,
USA Today,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Alcalde explains that red light at 650nm works closer to the surface, stimulating collagen production and supporting skin repair; over time, this translates to improvements in firmness, tone, and radiance.—
Jenny Berg,
Vogue,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Activities like using a computer to solve a puzzle were considered intellectually stimulating.—
Kaan Ozcan,
NBC news,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
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These seemingly innocuous actions can kindle dry grass, potentially triggering a wildfire.—
KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT,
Kansas City Star,
27 Mar. 2026
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By 2033, the trust fund will run dry, triggering that immense, across-the-board drop that is slated to punish the most vulnerable Americans by collapsing all benefits an equal share regardless of income.—
Shawn Tully,
Fortune,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Unseasonably warm temperatures continue to take a toll on Colorado's snowpack, raising concerns about dangerous avalanche conditions across the high country.—
Callie Zanandrie,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
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Past grand juries have issued reports raising awareness of shady land deals, questionable legislative appropriations and officials slow-walking public records requests.—
Alexandra Glorioso,
Miami Herald,
26 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Instigating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instigating. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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