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
Efforts to fabricate Taiwanese statehood, nationality, or language—instigated from across the ocean—are artificial and, consequently, unsustainable.
—
Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 12 Feb. 2025
The petition has been instigated by the International Coalition for Filmmakers at Risk (ICFR), a joint venture between the European Film Academy, the International Documentary Festival Amsterdam (IDFA) International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR).
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 28 Feb. 2025
Meanwhile, the president's chief regulator of broadcast media has instigated investigations of each of the major broadcast outlets – ABC, CBS, NBC, NPR and PBS – save Rupert Murdoch's Fox, which is a corporate sister of the pro-Trump Fox News Channel.
—David Folkenflik, NPR, 26 Feb. 2025
Meanwhile, there have been mass firings at the FBI, reportedly instigated by Trump hatchet man Kash Patel, who awaits Senate confirmation to head the FBI.
—Orlando Sentinel and South Florida Sun Sentinel Editorial Boards, Orlando Sentinel, 21 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for instigate
Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 12 Feb. 2025
The petition has been instigated by the International Coalition for Filmmakers at Risk (ICFR), a joint venture between the European Film Academy, the International Documentary Festival Amsterdam (IDFA) International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR).
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 28 Feb. 2025
Meanwhile, the president's chief regulator of broadcast media has instigated investigations of each of the major broadcast outlets – ABC, CBS, NBC, NPR and PBS – save Rupert Murdoch's Fox, which is a corporate sister of the pro-Trump Fox News Channel.
—David Folkenflik, NPR, 26 Feb. 2025
Meanwhile, there have been mass firings at the FBI, reportedly instigated by Trump hatchet man Kash Patel, who awaits Senate confirmation to head the FBI.
—Orlando Sentinel and South Florida Sun Sentinel Editorial Boards, Orlando Sentinel, 21 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for instigate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instigate
Verb
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Over the past eight years, social media platforms have been skillfully manipulated to provoke anger, rage, fear, and distrust, setting individuals and groups against one another.—
Peter Suciu,
Forbes,
9 Mar. 2025
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Sometimes, that means getting outside of the Court’s comfort zone of an orderly appeals process when individual judges single-handedly provoke a separation-of-powers crisis.—
The Editors,
National Review,
6 Mar. 2025
Verb
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On the positive side, the increase in applications from students of color and the growing diversity of the applicant pool are encouraging signs of progress toward more significant equity in higher education.—
Scott White,
Forbes,
15 Mar. 2025
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Community Board 2 voted against the project in May, hoping to encourage the state liquor board to deny the liquor license, though community boards have no actual blocking power.—
Bridget Read,
Curbed,
14 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Exercise also increases blood flow, which promotes healing.—
Aubrey Bailey, PT, DPT, CHT,
Verywell Health,
14 Mar. 2025
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Steve continues to energetically promote this agenda.—
Steve Forbes,
Forbes,
14 Mar. 2025
Verb
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These viral particles continue to multiply or stimulate the immune system in ways that trigger long Covid symptoms.—
Katie Camero,
NBC News,
11 Mar. 2025
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On the positive side, home prices often stagnate or decline as demand slows, and the Federal Reserve may lower interest rates to stimulate the economy, making borrowing cheaper.—
Faisal Kutty,
Newsweek,
10 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Instigate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instigate. Accessed 17 Mar. 2025.
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