WordValeinstigate
to bring about or initiate
In more detail
1. (verb) to cause something to start or happen, especially something bad or violent
2. (verb) to encourage or persuade someone to do something, especially something wrong or illegal
Examples
- 1. The new regulations instigated a wave of protests across the country.
- 2. He instigated his friends to break into the abandoned house.
How to use instigate
Instigate typically carries a negative or disapproving tone and often implies causing something undesirable to happen, or deliberately encouraging someone (usually someone else) to do something wrongful. It differs from similar verbs like provoke in that it emphasizes the role of a persuader or initiator behind the scenes. It is commonly used in formal or news contexts.
Common phrases
- instigate a riot
- instigate violence
- instigate legal proceedings
- instigate an investigation
- instigate trouble
Synonyms
provoke · incite · trigger · spark · foment
Opposites
prevent · stop · suppress
Word family
instigation · instigator · instigating
A common mistake
Learners sometimes use instigate as a simple synonym for 'start' or 'begin' in neutral contexts (e.g., 'instigate a new project'), when initiate or launch would be more appropriate; instigate specifically suggests incitement or causing trouble.
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