1
as in provoked
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 encouraged
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
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.
Recent Examples of instigated
This revelation resonated with many maskers and instigated a shift in the culture fueled by intellectual and historical curiosity.
—
Harriet Shepherd, Vogue, 5 Mar. 2025
In reality, no one involved, including Bryant’s wife, Carolyn—whose lie about an encounter with Till instigated the murder of the teenager—would face justice.
—Elon Green, Vulture, 5 Mar. 2025
Any change would not be instigated until the 2026/27 season at the earliest.
—Asif Burhan, Forbes, 4 Mar. 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
Heat star Tyler Herro admitted to being fooled earlier this month, while a post from the account instigated a war of words between Kevin Garnett and Draymond Green.
—Ben Morse, CNN, 27 Feb. 2025
Pence’s post included a link to a Fox News story published at the start of the war, which correctly stated Russia instigated the conflict.
—Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 20 Feb. 2025
That instigated a backlash from people who said the plan would draw down the aquifer, thinning lakes and threatening drinking water even beyond Ohio’s borders.
—Anna Clark, ProPublica, 18 Feb. 2025
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
Harriet Shepherd, Vogue, 5 Mar. 2025
In reality, no one involved, including Bryant’s wife, Carolyn—whose lie about an encounter with Till instigated the murder of the teenager—would face justice.
—Elon Green, Vulture, 5 Mar. 2025
Any change would not be instigated until the 2026/27 season at the earliest.
—Asif Burhan, Forbes, 4 Mar. 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
Heat star Tyler Herro admitted to being fooled earlier this month, while a post from the account instigated a war of words between Kevin Garnett and Draymond Green.
—Ben Morse, CNN, 27 Feb. 2025
Pence’s post included a link to a Fox News story published at the start of the war, which correctly stated Russia instigated the conflict.
—Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 20 Feb. 2025
That instigated a backlash from people who said the plan would draw down the aquifer, thinning lakes and threatening drinking water even beyond Ohio’s borders.
—Anna Clark, ProPublica, 18 Feb. 2025
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
Cite this Entry
“Instigated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instigated. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share