1
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
2
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instigation
Noun
-
Her arrival in the U.K. — and the excitement surrounding the Cowboy Carter Tour — was easily enough to push the title back onto these lists.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes.com,
10 June 2025 -
Much of the cast, including creator Lin Manuel Miranda, Jonathan Groff, Daveed Diggs, Christopher Jackson, Phillipa Soo, Leslie Odom Jr. and Reneé Elise Goldsberry, walked the carpet embracing other stars who were buzzing with excitement for what the performance could be.—
Emily Burns,
Footwear News,
9 June 2025
Noun
-
The church declined an interview and did not respond to specific questions about the impetus for the change.—
Lauren Jackson,
New York Times,
29 May 2025
-
The immigration issue was Worsley’s impetus to enter politics.—
Mark Z. Barabak,
Mercury News,
15 May 2025
Noun
-
While this is good news, student loan borrowers should remember this drop shouldn't be taken as encouragement to acquire more student debt at lower rates.—
Suzanne Blake,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 June 2025
-
Kelly had posted several photos on social media while inside the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, as insurrectionists injured police officers and destroyed Capitol property with prior encouragement from President Donald Trump at a rally.—
Carole Carlson,
Chicago Tribune,
4 June 2025
Noun
-
While geothermal energy loses out in the current package, some Republicans, including U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright, have called for the power source’s tax incentives to remain.—
Justin Worland,
Time,
13 June 2025
-
This structure leaves little incentive for buyers locked into contracts to make any moves until the contract ends.—
Greg Robinson,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2025
Noun
-
The 2021 Biden stimulus bill provided additional financial incentives to the holdout states.—
The Editors,
National Review,
5 June 2025
-
Consider stimulus like background noise, scent from air fresheners and perfumes, family members all calling the puppy at once etc.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 June 2025
Noun
-
That should matter to leaders, because real connection drives motivation, creativity, and well-being.—
Dr. Diane Hamilton,
Forbes.com,
10 June 2025
-
But the vice president’s remarks also underscore the political motivations behind Saturday’s action.—
Michael Wilner,
Los Angeles Times,
8 June 2025
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.
Cite this Entry
“Instigation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instigation. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share