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

But now, as excitement swirls over social media giant Meta Platforms' AI agent, traders are pouring into Snap call options on Monday, propelling trading volume to more than four times the month-long average, Cboe LiveVol data show.

— Oliver Renick, CNBC, 12 Oct. 2026
Impact flashes have been seen before, but these ones on the dark side of the Moon could have been the faintest observed with the human eye, and everyone’s excitement is palpable in the clip.

— Terrence O'Brien, The Verge, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of excitement

Noun

Its restrictions cover suicide and self-harm promotion, eating disorder encouragement, body shaming, non-consensual intimate imagery, harassment, and animal cruelty.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 8 Oct. 2026
The comments are all universally positive and supportive, with followers offering prayers and words of encouragement , including former athletes such as Troy Aikman, Kenny Lofton and Teemu Selane.

— Austin Perry OutKick, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of encouragement

Noun

Companies have plenty of incentives to make that advertising palatable to consumers, but Ireland believes ads will play a role one way or another.

— Allison Johnson, The Verge, 9 Oct. 2026
The city of Mission ultimately pulled the plug on its tax incentives and threw out the redevelopment agreement.

— Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of incentive

Noun

As for us, we are engaged in the usual ritual of brewing a cuppa stimulation — our choice today is English breakfast — and foraging for items of interest.

— Ed Silverman, STAT, 8 Oct. 2026
Rigid neckbands deliver heat, vibration or electrical stimulation through EMS or TENS-style pulses.

— Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 7 Oct. 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 13 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of instigation

noun

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