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

The impetus for Whalefall came from a viral video in which a kayaker ended up in the mouth of a whale.

— Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2026
So, if your travels find you in Milan before 2027 kicks off, consider this your impetus to go ahead and book that room.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of impetus

Noun

Jonah himself is remaining positive while keeping his spirits up thanks to the love, support and encouragement of his family, friends and all those doctors and nurses who care so much for him.

— Patrick Snell, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2026
After encouragement from the coaches, Koerber improved his personal best by three minutes at his next race, Brown said.

— Donald Fountain, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of encouragement

Noun

Strong demand for oil, particularly from Asia, continues to provide an incentive for tanker operators to transport energy supplies from the Persian Gulf, even as security threats complicate voyages.

— Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2026
But Sawie emphasized that this work is just part of the solution, noting that real progress can’t be made until farmers have access to reliable markets and incentives that recognize the work put into transitioning to organic practices.

— Jennifer Bringle, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of incentive

Noun

The researchers also found that lower-current stimulation could reverse this effect, restoring a less predictable switching state.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 14 Oct. 2026
The technique is called closed-loop auditory stimulation, which is a jargony way of saying the device reads what your brain is doing and reacts in the moment.

— Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of stimulation

Browse Nearby Words

instigating

instigation

instigations

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“Instigation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instigation. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of instigation

noun

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