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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of instigate
After instigating the pile on last time, Vance did not speak at all this time.
—
Zac Anderson, USA Today, 19 Aug. 2025
The project was instigated by Hybe America CEO Scooter Braun’s purchase and sale of her early catalog and represents Swift’s effort to control her own songs and how they’re used.
—Maria Sherman, Chicago Tribune, 12 Aug. 2025
The teen who instigated the fight pulled a knife and tried to stab his rival, but his opponent managed to grab the blade and stab him with it, sources said.
—Sheetal Banchariya, New York Daily News, 7 Aug. 2025
Ant Farm’s Embassy to the Dolphins was never constructed, but the presentation of the idea in mainstream media instigated conversations amongst human readers that would otherwise never have happened.
—Jonathon Keats, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for instigate
Zac Anderson, USA Today, 19 Aug. 2025
The project was instigated by Hybe America CEO Scooter Braun’s purchase and sale of her early catalog and represents Swift’s effort to control her own songs and how they’re used.
—Maria Sherman, Chicago Tribune, 12 Aug. 2025
The teen who instigated the fight pulled a knife and tried to stab his rival, but his opponent managed to grab the blade and stab him with it, sources said.
—Sheetal Banchariya, New York Daily News, 7 Aug. 2025
Ant Farm’s Embassy to the Dolphins was never constructed, but the presentation of the idea in mainstream media instigated conversations amongst human readers that would otherwise never have happened.
—Jonathon Keats, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for instigate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instigate
Verb
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Every action provokes a reaction.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
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Their works laid the foundation for a genre that continues to evolve, provoke, and inspire.—
Kenna Hughes-Castleberry,
Space.com,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Readers should not rely solely on the content of this article and are encouraged to seek professional advice tailored to their specific circumstances.—
Lyssanoel Frater,
USA Today,
12 Sep. 2025
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The Associated Press reported that Robinson’s father recognized his son from the images released by law enforcement, and then encouraged his son to turn himself in.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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However, the president’s criticism of mail-in ballots could risk disrupting the inroads Republicans made with voters last cycle, with the party spending millions promoting mail-in ballots ahead of the 2024 election.—
Hailey Bullis,
The Washington Examiner,
11 Sep. 2025
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It was created with the intention of promoting AI fluency and a future-ready, AI-confident workforce.—
Malana VanTyler,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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For the first part of the trial, Mowery spent 10 days in the hospital while doctors created a grid of more than 100 points on his head to try to find different circuits or certain activation for pain by watching and stimulating his brain.—
Jen Christensen,
CNN Money,
7 Sep. 2025
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Drinking coffee may stimulate an increase in acid production in the stomach.—
Carrie Madormo,
Verywell Health,
6 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Instigate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instigate. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.
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