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 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 Somehow, through its instigation of global disaster, AI can generally be framed as a moral phenomenon. — Essence, 24 Sep. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for instigation

Noun

The excitement surrounding the 2026 FIFA World Cup has inspired many fans, from former players to beginners, to slide into a pair of shin guards and start playing the beautiful game.

— Nicole Williams, AJC.com, 14 July 2026
All of these moves come as the brand looks to refuel excitement across the business.

— Stephen Garner, Footwear News, 13 July 2026

Definition of excitement

Noun

Part of the impetus was a recent initiative called the Outdoor Adventure and Alternative Sports Strategic Plan, which sought to identify how Denver could offer more recreation opportunities to residents.

— Tiney Ricciardi, Denver Post, 17 July 2026
The impetus for baseball to seize control of in-market games was accelerated by the demise of the Main Street Sports RSNs, which marooned nine MLB clubs.

— Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 15 July 2026

Definition of impetus

Noun

Still, even with that encouragement, the thought of starting over again with someone new has been an emotional adjustment.

— Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 18 July 2026
Providers recognize this transition has its ups and downs for their patients and offer some words of encouragement.

— Isabel Lopez, Parents, 14 July 2026

Definition of encouragement

Noun

Analysts said the persistence of such underlying weakness also raises the question of whether Chinese officials will turn to more fiscal stimulus to try and boost domestic spending.

— Stephanie Yang, CNN Money, 15 July 2026
The stutter, in this case, provides a sudden stimulus that triggers the ’keeper to commit to going in a certain direction early, which can then be exploited with a shot sent the other way.

— Geir Jordet, New York Times, 14 July 2026

Definition of stimulus

Noun

But over the past few decades, new technology has enabled more constant stimulation, and the new economics of sports management have encouraged it.

— Ellen Cushing, The Atlantic, 17 July 2026
Those neural messages are then translated into electrical stimulation patterns given to the forearm muscles, which move as intended.

— Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 16 July 2026

Definition of stimulation

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instigating

instigation

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“Instigation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instigation. Accessed 20 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of instigation

noun

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