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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of instigating
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
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
-
Sabrina Carpenter leaned into her provocative image while pulling double duty as host and musical guest on Saturday Night Live.—
Mitchell Peters,
Billboard,
19 Oct. 2025
-
Her poetry carries it all—the metaphysical, the flirtatious, the unsettling, the provocative— all in such miniscule space.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Dave and a rotating cast of smart, thought-provoking guests talk about their inspirations, failures, successes, fame, and identities.—
Todd Spangler,
Variety,
15 Oct. 2025
-
Chris Young’s Beyond Earth column explores the intersection of space technology and policy, providing thought-provoking commentary on the latest advancements and regulatory developments in the sector.—
Chris Young,
Interesting Engineering,
13 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
His message emphasizes calm confidence, encouraging pet parents to embrace their role as the pack leader in their home.—
Madeline Gunderson,
USA Today,
19 Oct. 2025
-
Now is a period of stillness — encouraging you to embrace spirituality and trust and flow with the universe.—
Kyle Thomas,
PEOPLE,
19 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
For context, geomagnetic storms are caused by fiery eruptions from the sun's surface that send charged particles zipping toward our planet.—
Tom Brown,
Space.com,
20 May 2025
-
The ceremony came at a charged moment, coinciding with Columbia University canceling its graduation ceremony (and largely closing off its campus).—
David Matthews,
New York Daily News,
6 May 2024
Verb
-
To their credit, Better Factories Cambodia (BFC) continues to play an important role in promoting transparency and accountability in the garment sector, and its inclusion of freedom of association indicators in factory assessments contributes valuable data for policy dialogue.—
Sourcing Journal,
Sourcing Journal,
15 Oct. 2025
-
Duran had published articles on Tan and his wealthy colleagues, like Balaji Srinivasan, a tech investor who was promoting an esoteric but stubbornly influential concept called the Network State.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
15 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Looking for stimulating yet budget-friendly things to do with your family in November?—
Jim Higgins,
jsonline.com,
17 Oct. 2025
-
Diners begin their meal outside with an appetite-stimulating tomato water-and-herb drink and a trio of bite-size canapés highlighting local fruit, vegetables and Wagyu beef.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
At the same time, governments are increasingly relying on industrial policy to promote domestic production and strategic sectors, triggering a global subsidy race that is reshaping competitive dynamics.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
18 Oct. 2025
-
His bombastic style, unfiltered rhetoric, and policy disruptions galvanized the Republican base while triggering a seismic reaction among Democrats.—
Nafees Alam,
Boston Herald,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Arctic seals rely on sea ice for breeding and raising their pups, as well as for moulting, resting and accessing foraging areas.—
Doyle Rice,
USA Today,
18 Oct. 2025
-
So far Pakistan’s diplomatic game is raising cheers back home.—
Sophia Saifi,
CNN Money,
18 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Instigating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instigating. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share