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
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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
Rafia Zakaria, Time, 6 Nov. 2025
The Packers owned a 22-19 lead in the fourth quarter when Steelers linebacker Nick Niemann was flagged for instigating an altercation.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 27 Oct. 2025
McCabe just got the five minutes for fighting, while Tuch got an extra two minutes for instigating the fight and a 10-minute misconduct.
—Matthew Fairburn, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2025
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
Urbieta’s feature debut is an instigating social drama that follows the tensions between a couple after an encounter with migrants trying to cross the river between the two countries.
—Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 19 Sep. 2025
Bolsonaro faced five total charges, including attempting to overthrow Brazil's democratic system, participation in an armed criminal organization, and instigating violence that threatened state assets and heritage sites.
—Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025
After instigating the pile on last time, Vance did not speak at all this time.
—Zac Anderson, USA Today, 19 Aug. 2025
Verb
Khan stands accused of instigating those attacks.
—Rafia Zakaria, Time, 6 Nov. 2025
The Packers owned a 22-19 lead in the fourth quarter when Steelers linebacker Nick Niemann was flagged for instigating an altercation.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 27 Oct. 2025
McCabe just got the five minutes for fighting, while Tuch got an extra two minutes for instigating the fight and a 10-minute misconduct.
—Matthew Fairburn, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2025
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
Urbieta’s feature debut is an instigating social drama that follows the tensions between a couple after an encounter with migrants trying to cross the river between the two countries.
—Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 19 Sep. 2025
Bolsonaro faced five total charges, including attempting to overthrow Brazil's democratic system, participation in an armed criminal organization, and instigating violence that threatened state assets and heritage sites.
—Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025
After instigating the pile on last time, Vance did not speak at all this time.
—Zac Anderson, USA Today, 19 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instigating
Adjective
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That’s the question posed by a provocative ad running ahead of screenings at this year’s Thessaloniki Film Festival, highlighting the dire state of film funding in Greece.—
Christopher Vourlias,
Variety,
7 Nov. 2025
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This mother makes what the star did in the equally provocative Mother seem like child’s play.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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When Russia, another strategic partner, invaded Ukraine in 2022, China stopped short of condemning Moscow or opposing the war, instead parroting Russian narrative of blaming on the United States and its NATO allies for provoking the conflict.—
Steven Jiang,
CNN Money,
6 Jan. 2026
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Rather, many Iranians instead blamed the leadership for either provoking the conflict or failing to meaningfully defend the country from Israeli – or American – bombs.—
Kamran Talattof,
The Conversation,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
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There was a lot to like about Jovic’s performance on Saturday, with Heat veteran guard Norman Powell pushing and encouraging him along the way.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
9 Nov. 2025
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Salt-n-Pepa also joined in, and the group of artists concluded the set with a call-and-response moment alongside the crowd, encouraging everyone to scream along.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
9 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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At a charged political moment, her relatively sober look seemed intended to keep the focus on POTUS.—
Vogue,
Vogue,
12 Dec. 2025
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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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The core purpose of Taste Addison – promoting Addison's 200+ restaurants – will be reenvisioned to include new, year-round options to support and elevate North Texas' most vibrant dining hub.—
S.E. Jenkins,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
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Still, the district put full faith in its current coaches, promoting from within.—
Charles Baggarly,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Aside from giving each strain their unique smell, terpenes also contribute to effects where some may be sedating (linalool, terpinene, myrcene), stimulating (limonene, pinene) and have medicinal benefits (caryophyllene, beta caryophyllene).—
Carly Fisher,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
29 Oct. 2025
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Save more serious, heavier pruning for shaping and stimulating new growth for late winter or spring.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The Telegraph, which has published anti-BBC commentary for years, reported on the existence of the memo on November 3, triggering days of controversy in the United Kingdom.—
Brian Stelter,
CNN Money,
9 Nov. 2025
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The move comes after a single campus, the Leadership Academy at Forest Oak Sixth Grade, received five straight F ratings, triggering a state law that requires the commissioner to intervene.—
Silas Allen,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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It is measured in the millions of students striving for opportunity—most of them raising children, working jobs, serving in uniform, or making rent and mortgage payments with other bills competing for their attention.—
Yolanda Watson Spiva,
Fortune,
8 Nov. 2025
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One person might earn more while the other contributes in different but equally meaningful ways, like managing the home, raising kids and planning for the future.—
Annie Nova,
CNBC,
8 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Instigating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instigating. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026.
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