1
as in excitement
something that arouses a strong response from another
without instigation of any kind, the man suddenly threw a punch
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in impetus
something that arouses action or activity
the promise of windfall profits was all the instigation they needed to invest in the scheme
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instigation
Noun
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In retrospect, the high stakes arguably heighten the excitement of seeing how these writers dared and got away with it.—
Trish Bendix
August 21,
Literary Hub,
21 Aug. 2025 -
Engaged to German fashion designer Pinkus since 2023, Cyrus says her new positive outlook now includes the excitement of wanting to become a mom.—
Karu F. Daniels,
New York Daily News,
21 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Advertisement In New York, part of the impetus for this bail reform was the story of Kalief Browder, a young man in the Bronx who was arrested at age 16 for allegedly stealing a backpack.—
Rebecca Schneid,
Time,
12 Aug. 2025
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When decisions are made by any medical organization with financial interests, the primary impetus of the Oath is lost; the AMA’s control over payment schedules reinforces and exemplifies a corrupt institutional flaw.—
David Marks,
The Orlando Sentinel,
8 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Players drew encouragement from effectiveness at the goal line, where Rodgers and company scored on Tampa’s first unit on two of three attempts.—
Mike Jones,
New York Times,
18 Aug. 2025
-
All the while, your helpful, entertaining partner makes sure you never get lost and offers plenty of encouragement.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
16 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The result is a misaligned affordability signal that dulls incentives to adapt and crowds out private innovation.—
Felicia Jackson,
Forbes.com,
12 Aug. 2025
-
Globalization could be blamed for introducing competition from other countries with lower labor costs, putting downward pressure on manufacturing wages in the United States and creating incentives to move production abroad.—
Michael B. G. Froman,
Foreign Affairs,
11 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Those news stories are confusing the timeline for the older stimulus checks.—
Kelly Phillips Erb,
Forbes.com,
16 Aug. 2025
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Hawley’s news release states that the parameters for the tax rebate would be similar to the stimulus checks issued in 2020 during the economic slowdown caused by the pandemic.—
Michelle Del Rey,
USA Today,
13 Aug. 2025
Noun
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At the White House press briefing later that day, press secretary Karoline Leavitt was asked whether Trump was joking in his comments or if there was a spiritual motivation behind his peace efforts.—
Kinsey Crowley,
USA Today,
21 Aug. 2025
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Just his razor-sharp intellect and the motivation to work hard.—
Rich Tabaka,
Forbes.com,
19 Aug. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Instigation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instigation. Accessed 24 Aug. 2025.
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