INSTIGATE Synonyms: 100 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'instigate' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of instigate are abet , foment , and incite . While all these words mean "to spur to action," instigate definitely implies responsibility for initiating another's action and often connotes underhandedness or evil intention. // instigated a conspiracy

Q: In what contexts can 'abet' take the place of 'instigate'?

In some situations, the words abet and instigate are roughly equivalent. However, abet implies both assisting and encouraging. // aiding and abetting the enemy

Q: When is it sensible to use 'foment' instead of 'instigate'?

Although the words foment and instigate have much in common, foment implies persistence in goading. // fomenting rebellion

Q: When would 'incite' be a good substitute for 'instigate'?

The meanings of incite and instigate largely overlap; however, incite stresses a stirring up and urging on, and may or may not imply initiating. // inciting a riot

instigate

verb

ˈin(t)-stə-ˌgāt

Definition of instigate next

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

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

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb instigate contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of instigate are abet, foment, and incite. While all these words mean "to spur to action," instigate definitely implies responsibility for initiating another's action and often connotes underhandedness or evil intention.

instigated a conspiracy

In what contexts can abet take the place of instigate?

In some situations, the words abet and instigate are roughly equivalent. However, abet implies both assisting and encouraging.

aiding and abetting the enemy

When is it sensible to use foment instead of instigate?

Although the words foment and instigate have much in common, foment implies persistence in goading.

fomenting rebellion

When would incite be a good substitute for instigate?

The meanings of incite and instigate largely overlap; however, incite stresses a stirring up and urging on, and may or may not imply initiating.

inciting a riot

Examples Sentences

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Recent Examples of instigate Understanding the Concept of Fire Watch A fire watch is a safety protocol instigated when a property's orthodox fire prevention measures are compromised, or altogether missing. —

Kyle Russell, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024 Critics are not entirely historians, nor strictly journalists or judges; a good critic engages directly with work and instigates dialogue. —

Rachel Elspeth Gross, Forbes, 27 Oct. 2024 Episode 2 only compounds that idea, what with a young Catherine overtly flirting with Jonathan back in Italy (presumably instigating an affair behind Robert’s back) and then, years later, refusing Nancy’s dying wish to meet Nicholas. —

Ben Travers, IndieWire, 11 Oct. 2024 This community is led by a small cohort of agitators who travel around the country, instigating protests at sites earmarked by the government to house asylum seekers. —

David Gilbert, WIRED, 10 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for instigate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for instigate

Verb

For family offices, there’s a parallel to be drawn: surveys and polls can provoke different emotions depending on how they’re framed and presented.

Francois Botha, Forbes, 8 Dec. 2024
That decision would provoke in turn Russian countermeasures, perhaps nuclear.

Shane Croucher, Newsweek, 7 Dec. 2024