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

• abet
• brew
• ferment
• foment
• incite
• pick
• provoke
• raise
• stir (up)
• whip (up)

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

While some of her fellow party members backed the calls along with Musk, others said the Conservatives had been in power for over a decade and could have instigated an inquiry if the party had wanted to. —Dan Perry, Newsweek, 4 Jan. 2025

Below are three tangible and practical strategies to reduce back pain—habits that can instigate lasting change, improve spine health, and mitigate the risk of future surgical intervention. —Richard Menger Md Mpa, Forbes, 1 Jan. 2025

In helping instigate a heated debate over H-1B visas, Elon Musk is speaking both from personal experience and as a business owner. —Kate Gibson, CBS News, 31 Dec. 2024

President-elect Trump's inner circle rushed to claim a report acknowledging that FBI informants (but not undercover agents) were present at the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, as proof of a baseless right wing belief that the bureau instigated the riot despite the report saying the opposite. —Ivana Saric, Axios, 13 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin instigatus, past participle of instigare — more at stick

First Known Use

1542, in the meaning defined above

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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