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

To use satire to confirm does not bring with it dramatic excitement and risks a certain smugness of point of view.

— Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 2 Nov. 2026
Fast-forward to Arjona’s campaign shoot, and the excitement hadn’t turned down a notch.

— Vogue, Vogue, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of excitement

Noun

Explaining the impetus for her piece, Salcedo pointed to current conflicts in Ukraine, Gaza, Syria, and Sudan, where people are being violently displaced en masse.

— Emily Watlington, ARTnews.com, 7 Nov. 2026
Many of today’s proponents are more likely to cite the threat of unprecedented fortunes to democracy than the need for redistribution as the impetus for a wealth tax.

— Daniel Waldenstrom, Foreign Affairs, 6 Nov. 2026

Definition of impetus

Noun

The couple shared a hug and a kiss before Lydia offered her husband some encouragement before the first start of his career.

— Ryan Canfield OutKick, FOXNews.com, 6 Nov. 2026
Eidevall eventually approached Ascanio and spent several minutes speaking with her, offering words of encouragement following the disappointing loss.

— Fernando Ramirez, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Nov. 2026

Definition of encouragement

Noun

In fact, a natural-resource provider's economic incentive is to minimize demand.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 6 Nov. 2026
Check whether individual and departmental incentives support the company’s broader objectives or encourage people to optimize at one another’s expense.

— Dr. Nore Salman, Forbes.com, 6 Nov. 2026

Definition of incentive

Noun

Even seemingly small increases—like switching from 10-pound to 12-pound dumbbells, for example—can provide enough of an effective stimulus to build strength without over-stressing your body.

— Jenessa Connor, HEALTH, 3 Nov. 2026
China’s economy grew faster than expected in the third quarter thanks to the country’s powerful export machine, with domestic consumption still lagging and the authorities showing little interest in fiscal stimulus.

— Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of stimulus

Noun

While no explosive devices have yet been found following bomb threats, the motivation behind the reports remains unclear.

— Pau Mosquera, CNN Money, 5 Nov. 2026
But Pessiglione suspects that psychological factors, such as motivations and beliefs, also play a key role.

— Cody Cottier, Scientific American, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of motivation

Noun

To that end, Radytė emphasizes the importance of comfort, ease of use, and the dual-region stimulation, as well as a growing body of research in women specifically using the Samphire device.

— IEEE Spectrum, IEEE Spectrum, 5 Nov. 2026
Meanwhile, neurotechnology companies are bringing brain monitoring and stimulation into specialist clinics and at-home devices, hoping to make cognitive fitness as routine as going to the gym.

— Amy O’Brien, Vogue, 3 Nov. 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 9 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of instigation

noun

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