INSTIGATION Synonyms: 52 Similar and Opposite Words

instigation

noun

Definition of instigation

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

subduing

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

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 instigation While in custody, new evidence caused Kerry to be rearrested under suspicion of commission, preparation, or instigation of an act of terrorism, reports ABC News. — Sophia Mandt, The Washington Examiner, 20 July 2026 He has been rearrested on suspicion of commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism, Counter Terrorism Policing South East said. — Frank Andrews, CBS News, 13 July 2026 They are accused of propaganda against the constitutional order and instigation to commit crimes, and if found guilty could be sentenced to several years in prison. — Sarah Moreno june 5, Miami Herald, 6 June 2026 Now that more and more users are disengaging and often leaving those platforms entirely, the AI bots are moving in, often at the instigation of the social media platforms themselves. — ArsTechnica, 7 May 2026 Had the country remained coalesced around the accurate original understanding of January 6—that American citizens had been lied to about the 2020 election by the president and had attempted to sack the Capitol partly at his instigation—Webster might have been forced into a reckoning. — Jamie Thompson, The Atlantic, 6 Jan. 2026 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for instigation

Noun

Despite her excitement, Reynolds admits joining such a beloved series came with plenty of pressure.

— Tanya Fedak, Variety, 10 Aug. 2026
DaCosta said that Moore greeted students with excitement every day as parents dropped them off.

— Dan Raby, CBS News, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of excitement

Noun

But for the iconoclastic Coppola, a desire to work with an up-and-coming actor, who his friends Brian De Palma and Martin Scorsese had discovered and was not yet a star, became the other key impetus to make the film.

— Chris O'Falt, IndieWire, 14 Aug. 2026
Despite Villa reaching their zenith under Emery in May, there was a growing argument to undergo a stable transitional phase, providing youthful impetus and appearing proactive, rather than reactive, in lowering the age of the squad.

— Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of impetus

Noun

Wise leaders create cultures that arm employees with the capacity, authority, and encouragement to deliver customer experiences with a surprise.

— Chip Bell, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2026
As the only manager to steer four different clubs to promotion from the second tier of English football, Neil Warnock has words of encouragement for all those looking to follow in his footsteps during the coming season.

— Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of encouragement

Noun

There has been no confirmation from SpaceX or Louisiana officials … But earlier this year the Louisiana Legislature passed a package of incentives for aerospace companies, including liability protections and property tax breaks.

— Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 14 Aug. 2026
Marketers need to treat the student as the primary decision-maker, using tangible incentives, student-friendly pricing, and direct campus engagement to lower the risk of trying a new product and justify its value well past move-in day.

— Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of incentive

Noun

Instead, Beijing rolled out a roughly $586 billion stimulus—equivalent to around 12 percent of China’s GDP in 2008—funneled almost entirely into infrastructure and construction.

— Michael B. G. Froman, Foreign Affairs, 13 Aug. 2026
The gloves must be applied directly to someone's skin to deliver a pain stimulus that typically helps an officer gain compliance within seconds, according to the company.

— CBS News, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of stimulus

Noun

Matthew Temple said her performance (as well as countryman Sam Short’s in the men’s 400) served as motivation heading into his 100 butterfly win.

— Peter Baugh, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026
Jordan Patrick Haase, 40, was convicted of second-degree murder, but acquitted of the gang-motivation allegation.

— Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of motivation

Noun

Egg freezing costs can hit $47,000 A single egg freezing cycle, including hormone stimulation and the retrieval procedure, costs around $16,000, on average, according to FertilityIQ, a fertility data and education platform.

— Annie Nova, CNBC, 15 Aug. 2026
Whether that category expands beyond vitamin D stimulation will be determined by larger independent trials and real-world outcomes.

— Tanya Akim, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of stimulation

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instigating

instigation

instigations

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“Instigation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instigation. Accessed 16 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of instigation

noun

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