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
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Recent Examples of instigated
After notching two goals in the team’s 4-1 win over Paraguay on June 12, Balogun instigated the American scoring, in the 11th minute, on Friday.
—
Sean Gregory,
Time,
20 June 2026
Little signs of humanity appeared in every direction, quietly defusing what could have become a disaster instigated by fear.
—
Antonio Ferme,
Variety,
14 June 2026
The angry crowd grew at nightfall, instigated by word of mouth and local radio broadcasts.
—
Michael Peregrine,
Chicago Tribune,
12 June 2026
There also is a contingent inside CBS News and the overall network that views some of the changes Weiss has instigated as long overdue for a 21st century media organization.
—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
3 June 2026
Take our once respected monarchy, for instance, which was instigated through a popular referendum as part of national independence in 1905.
—
Ola Morris Innset,
The Dial,
2 June 2026
The same night the videos of the shooting appeared online, Peters was arrested in Fort Lauderdale on an unrelated misdemeanor battery charge, stemming from an altercation that Peters allegedly instigated between two women in Osceola County.
—
Angie Dimichele,
Sun Sentinel,
6 May 2026
The Osceola Sheriff’s Office said Peters instigated the fight and posted it online to exploit the women.
—
David Goodhue,
Miami Herald,
6 May 2026
Details of what happened were confirmed to The Athletic by several sources who said the confrontation was instigated by Rudiger.
—
Guillermo Rai,
New York Times,
5 May 2026
Sean Gregory,
Time,
20 June 2026
Little signs of humanity appeared in every direction, quietly defusing what could have become a disaster instigated by fear.
—
Antonio Ferme,
Variety,
14 June 2026
The angry crowd grew at nightfall, instigated by word of mouth and local radio broadcasts.
—
Michael Peregrine,
Chicago Tribune,
12 June 2026
There also is a contingent inside CBS News and the overall network that views some of the changes Weiss has instigated as long overdue for a 21st century media organization.
—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
3 June 2026
Take our once respected monarchy, for instance, which was instigated through a popular referendum as part of national independence in 1905.
—
Ola Morris Innset,
The Dial,
2 June 2026
The same night the videos of the shooting appeared online, Peters was arrested in Fort Lauderdale on an unrelated misdemeanor battery charge, stemming from an altercation that Peters allegedly instigated between two women in Osceola County.
—
Angie Dimichele,
Sun Sentinel,
6 May 2026
The Osceola Sheriff’s Office said Peters instigated the fight and posted it online to exploit the women.
—
David Goodhue,
Miami Herald,
6 May 2026
Details of what happened were confirmed to The Athletic by several sources who said the confrontation was instigated by Rudiger.
—
Guillermo Rai,
New York Times,
5 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instigated
Verb
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The president highlighted the military operation in Iran that has proven deeply unpopular, and an immigration agenda that has provoked intense backlash.
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Concentrated wealth has always converted into influence, and the republic absorbed it and built the antitrust law and disclosure rules that outlasted the men who provoked them.
Verb
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Customers are encouraged to check online to confirm hours for their nearest store.
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Businesses can also partner with the nonprofit, while current and retired officers in need are encouraged to reach out directly for help.
Verb
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These episodes have been triggered by intense heat domes — stubborn areas of high pressure that lock hot air in place — and are clearly supercharged by global warming, experts say.
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Throughout the game, seeing green shirts on the large screen triggered cheers through the crowd, while boos came up when yellow kits were displayed.
Verb
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But women retain responsive desire—which comes from being stimulated, or from stimulating themselves.
-
Long-term state investment in infrastructure has stimulated enterprise.
Cite this Entry
“Instigated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instigated. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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