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
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Recent Examples of instigation
Three other people – two men in their 30s and a woman in her 60s – were arrested on suspicion of commission, preparation and instigation of acts of terrorism, the UK's Counter Terrorism Policing office said.
—
Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025
Three additional suspects -- two men and a woman -- were also taken into custody and arrested on suspicion of commission, preparation and instigation of acts of terrorism, police said on Thursday.
—Morgan Winsor, ABC News, 3 Oct. 2025
Two men in their 30s and a woman in her 60s have also been arrested on suspicion of the commission, preparation and instigation of acts of terrorism in connection with the attack, police said.
—Jenna Sundel, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Oct. 2025
Somehow, through its instigation of global disaster, AI can generally be framed as a moral phenomenon.
—Essence, 24 Sep. 2025
At the instigation of president Charles de Gaulle, new towns began to emerge in France at the end of the 1960s as a counter to haphazard urban growth.
—Caroline Reid, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2025
Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025
Three additional suspects -- two men and a woman -- were also taken into custody and arrested on suspicion of commission, preparation and instigation of acts of terrorism, police said on Thursday.
—Morgan Winsor, ABC News, 3 Oct. 2025
Two men in their 30s and a woman in her 60s have also been arrested on suspicion of the commission, preparation and instigation of acts of terrorism in connection with the attack, police said.
—Jenna Sundel, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Oct. 2025
Somehow, through its instigation of global disaster, AI can generally be framed as a moral phenomenon.
—Essence, 24 Sep. 2025
At the instigation of president Charles de Gaulle, new towns began to emerge in France at the end of the 1960s as a counter to haphazard urban growth.
—Caroline Reid, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instigation
Noun
-
The attendees—thirty- and forty-somethings who are members of the bank’s Private Wealth Management (PWM) division, which boasts an average account size of over $75 million—gathered to hash out their anxiety and excitement.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Bring the excitement off the screen and into the real world with this fun hide and seek figure, which encourages active play with a timer and spoken clues to lead kids to her hiding spot.—
Mia Huelsbeck,
PEOPLE,
8 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
That that might be the impetus for people to try to come together in some way.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
2 Nov. 2025
-
The impetus for the collaboration came from Smith’s own experience using garlic in her cooking.—
Emily Burns,
Footwear News,
28 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Her brother shaved his head alongside her, while friends organized care packages, drove her to sessions and offered constant encouragement.—
Jordan Greene,
PEOPLE,
7 Jan. 2026
-
The chatbot repeatedly offered Nelson doting messages and constant encouragement, Turner-Scott claimed.—
Louis Casiano,
FOXNews.com,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The official boundaries of the new stadium incentive district have not yet been finalized.—
Matthew Kelly,
Kansas City Star,
8 Jan. 2026
-
The grocer will also receive a $50,000 retailer incentive bonus.—
Ingrid Vasquez,
PEOPLE,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
If the labor market is improving and the Supreme Court delivers the expected tariff refunds, the Fed would have almost no justification for adding further stimulus to the economy via a new round of cheaper money.—
Jim Edwards,
Fortune,
9 Jan. 2026
-
There’s the stimulus from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, the prospect of lower interest rates from a more dovish incoming Federal Reserve chair, and the benefits from artificial intelligence accruing to the real economy — major pillars maintaining a bullish outlook .—
Sarah Min,
CNBC,
2 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Duffy denied any political motivation.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
7 Nov. 2025
-
His content, often featuring humorous music about food was intended as motivation for Lomax’s own health journey.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
5 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Recent scientific studies have found that horticultural therapy promotes creativity, self-esteem, social interaction and sensory stimulation.—
The San Diego Union Tribune,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Children are exposed to far more stimulation naturally from microbes than from vaccines.—
NPR,
NPR,
7 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Instigation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instigation. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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