1
as in to provoke
to bring (something volatile or intense) into being
the medical breakthrough instigated a whole new field of therapy
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to encourage
to rouse to strong feeling or action
the charge that the scene in the movie had instigated teenagers to commit similar acts of vandalism
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of instigate
Every so often, Black Mirror rolls out an emotionally arresting episode that soothes the soul instead of one that instigates anxiety.
—
Joey Nolfi, EW.com, 11 Apr. 2025
However, when Libby did speak to present her amendments, multiple Democrats protested, instigating a debate with Republican representatives.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 5 Apr. 2025
Read the full Capricorn Daily Horoscope Aquarius (January 20 - February 18)
Be the one to instigate the conversation.
—Usa Today, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2025
Green, always one to instigate, is currently public enemy No. 1 in Houston as the Golden State Warriors are facing the Rockets in the first round of the NBA Playoffs.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 25 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for instigate
Joey Nolfi, EW.com, 11 Apr. 2025
However, when Libby did speak to present her amendments, multiple Democrats protested, instigating a debate with Republican representatives.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 5 Apr. 2025
Read the full Capricorn Daily Horoscope Aquarius (January 20 - February 18)
Be the one to instigate the conversation.
—Usa Today, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2025
Green, always one to instigate, is currently public enemy No. 1 in Houston as the Golden State Warriors are facing the Rockets in the first round of the NBA Playoffs.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 25 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for instigate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instigate
Verb
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Doctors gave her Pitocin, a medication used to provoke contractions, and a Foley balloon, which is a catheter-like device that gets the cervix to dilate.—
Kayla Grant,
People.com,
20 May 2025
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But if Washington follows a few principles, such improvements will not necessarily provoke Chinese aggression.—
Oriana Skylar Mastro,
Foreign Affairs,
20 May 2025
Verb
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There is no fee to nominate and self-nominations are encouraged.—
Post-Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
26 May 2025
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Attendees are encouraged to bring new or gently used early-reader children’s books.—
Daniel Hunt,
Sacbee.com,
25 May 2025
Verb
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The Royals promoted Caglianone to Triple-A Omaha a week ago — Sunday, May 18.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
25 May 2025
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To take Bregman’s place on the roster, the Red Sox promoted top infield prospect Marcelo Mayer, who started at third base and batted sixth in the second game of Saturday’s doubleheader.—
Jen McCaffrey,
New York Times,
25 May 2025
Verb
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These wildfires, while destructive, have also provided researchers with insights into giant sequoia ecology, revealing that moderate-severity burns can stimulate seed release and create favorable germination conditions.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
24 May 2025
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Muscles, heart rate, strength, motor control — and the brain — all are stimulated by exercise.—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
23 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Instigate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instigate. Accessed 2 Jun. 2025.
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