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
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
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
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
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
-
Pixar's social media accounts began leaning into the excitement over the next few days.—
Bryan West,
USA Today,
5 June 2026
-
Each year or so, a fresh occasion arises to gather in excitement about the Beatles.—
Craig Jenkins,
Vulture,
4 June 2026
Noun
-
The beloved 35-year-old Florida Ficus at the entrance is the impetus for the iconic logo.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
-
The impetus of Vanity Fair’s meeting with Nézet-Séguin was the Met’s new production of El Último Sueño de Frida y Diego, a recent work from US composer Gabriela Lena Frank (in her Met debut).—
Eve Batey,
Vanity Fair,
2 June 2026
Noun
-
Benjamin Cano, who brought his wife and three kids down from Norwalk for Friday’s game, was down behind the Padres dugout offering encouragement before the game.—
Kirk Kenney,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 June 2026
-
Volunteers with the organization Free Mom Hugs offered encouragement to attendees whose families may not be as supportive.—
Eva Andersen,
CBS News,
6 June 2026
Noun
-
The best cornerback in the NFL, Patrick Surtain II, is on a four-year, $96 million contract but just earned a $5 million pay raise in 2026 with $5 million more in incentives tacked onto the 2027 season.—
Doug Kyed,
Boston Herald,
7 June 2026
-
Under the executive order, all tax incentives approved before July will continue.—
Jack O'Connor,
Chicago Tribune,
6 June 2026
Noun
-
The cerebral circuitry of the human brain—specifically the salience network, which is responsible for filtering stimuli—seems to be more active in individuals with misophonia.—
Sloane Crosley,
New Yorker,
8 June 2026
-
The ability to disconnect intentionally from these overwhelming stimuli—to reclaim one’s focus, clarity, and feeling of immediacy—has become rare and precious.—
Robb Report Studio,
Robb Report,
3 June 2026
Noun
-
No matter the motivation or trading strategy, going short is a bet that a stock will decline in price.—
Zev Fima,
CNBC,
29 May 2026
-
Osuch said the ability to keep his future options open was his motivation.—
Cyril A. Reinicke,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
How the Pulsetto Vagus Nerve Stimulation Device Works Pulsetto is a wearable that delivers non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation through a band placed at the neck.—
Samantha Agate,
Sacbee.com,
3 June 2026
-
This is one of the most common questions in Pulsetto vagus nerve stimulation device product info and reviews from prospective buyers.—
Samantha Agate,
Charlotte Observer,
3 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Instigation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instigation. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.
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