instigate

verb

in·​sti·​gate ˈin(t)-stə-ˌgāt 

instigated; instigating

transitive verb

: to goad or urge forward : provoke

instigation

ˌin(t)-stə-ˈgā-shən 

noun

instigative

ˈin(t)-stə-ˌgā-tiv 

adjective

instigator

ˈin(t)-stə-ˌgā-tər 

noun

Did you know?

It's time to investigate the true meaning of instigate. Instigate is often used as a synonym of incite (as in "siblings instigating a fight"), but the two words differ slightly in their overall usage. Incite usually stresses an act of stirring something up that one did not necessarily initiate ("the court's decision incited riots"), while instigate implies responsibility for initiating or encouraging someone else's action, and usually suggests dubious or underhanded intent ("he was charged with instigating a conspiracy"). Coming from a form of the Latin verb instigare ("to urge on or provoke"), instigate stepped into English in the 1500s, roughly a century after incite.

Synonyms of instigate

• provoke
• promote

Choose the Right Synonym for instigate

incite, instigate, abet, foment mean to spur to action.

incite stresses a stirring up and urging on, and may or may not imply initiating.

inciting a riot

instigate definitely implies responsibility for initiating another's action and often connotes underhandedness or evil intention.

instigated a conspiracy

abet implies both assisting and encouraging.

aiding and abetting the enemy

foment implies persistence in goading.

fomenting rebellion

Examples of instigate in a Sentence

There has been an increase in the amount of violence instigated by gangs.

The government has instigated an investigation into the cause of the accident.

Recent Examples on the Web

He has already been sentenced for 14 years and faces several lifetimes in prison in more than 150 cases charging him with offenses ranging from stealing state gifts to instigating a violent attack on military headquarters. —Mohammed Hanif, Time, 1 Dec. 2025

During the war, Zelensky has fired a slew of senior Ukrainian officials over corruption allegations, and his government has instigated anti-corruption measures, including the National Anti-Corruption Strategy. —Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 28 Nov. 2025

Grid congestion has also instigated discussions about how to procure power in Europe, according to CBRE's European data center research lead Kevin Restivo. —Tasmin Lockwood, CNBC, 27 Nov. 2025

Greene said her decision was motivated by the desire to spare her district from a contentious and divisive primary challenge instigated by the president. —Deputy News Editor, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin instigatus, past participle of instigare — more at stick

First Known Use

1542, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for instigate

• abdicate
• abrogate
• acetate
• activate
• actuate
• adsorbate
• aggravate
• agitate
• alginate
• alienate
• allocate
• amputate

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Kids Definition

instigate

verb

in·​sti·​gate ˈin(t)-stə-ˌgāt 

instigated; instigating

: incite, provoke

instigation

ˌin(t)-stə-ˈgā-shən 

noun

instigator

ˈin(t)-stə-ˌgāt-ər 

noun