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
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
Stolberg fought back and Arnsten earned penalties for instigating, fighting and misconduct.
—Ivan Carter, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Dec. 2025
In the video, according to the news release, Reiher can be heard provoking the students and instigating them to engage in a fight.
—Michael Guise, CBS News, 11 Dec. 2025
Verb
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
Stolberg fought back and Arnsten earned penalties for instigating, fighting and misconduct.
—Ivan Carter, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Dec. 2025
In the video, according to the news release, Reiher can be heard provoking the students and instigating them to engage in a fight.
—Michael Guise, CBS News, 11 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instigating
Adjective
-
An architect by training, Censori, 31, has been an enigmatic and largely silent fixture in West’s orbit for years, making her statements mostly through provocative performance art that often incorporates public nudity.—
Nancy Dillon,
Rolling Stone,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Moshfegh, who pairs regressive politics with a wild, provocative humor, is an obvious influence on Dimes Square novels.—
Malavika Kannan,
Vulture,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
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When not in the newsroom, Munis is often out on the streets with his camera, capturing the perfect portrait or settling in to watch a thought-provoking film.—
Munis Raza,
Interesting Engineering,
4 Mar. 2026
-
While teasing Season 2 and what’s to come, the series’ creators tout the advantages the audio format offers for thought-provoking science fiction.—
Jordaan Ashley,
Variety,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
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In fact, the director was egging me on, encouraging me to go further with the hunching and muttering.—
Andrew Martin,
Vogue,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Benevolent Venus complements rule-minded Saturn in your 11th House of Friendship, encouraging clear agreements with your teams and friends.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
8 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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But ever since Ticketmaster and Live Nation merged in 2010, the companies have been accused of promoting anticompetitive behaviors.—
Cerys Davies,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2026
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One Russian dancer posted a video of someone removing a Marty Supreme poster to reveal a poster promoting a performance of Swan Lake.—
Chloe Angyal,
Time,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Mowing regularly and at the proper height promotes a lush, dense lawn by stimulating root growth and lateral shoot development.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Another benefit of cutting rates would be stimulating the purchase of steel-heavy purchases like appliances and cars, Kopf said.—
Brian Cheung,
NBC news,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The gruesome discovery would eventually lead authorities to a third woman, in her 80s, killed a few towns over, triggering a manhunt across several states and prompting a two-day closure of schools in Wayne County.—
Holly Yan,
CNN Money,
5 Mar. 2026
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Skiing safely through avalanche terrain and planning ahead to avoid triggering a slide is part of this courtesy, according to the advocacy group.—
Camila Pedrosa,
Sacbee.com,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
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There are dangers that the entire global supply chain could be upended, raising costs for businesses and their customers.—
Vanessa Yurkevich,
CNN Money,
6 Mar. 2026
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Many young people in China complain that the cost of raising children is too high and that job prospects are too low.—
Janis Mackey Frayer,
NBC news,
5 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Instigating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instigating. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
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