as in provocative
serving or likely to arouse a strong reaction
an artist who deliberately creates instigating works of art that are sure to arouse controversy
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in provoking
to bring (something volatile or intense) into being
the medical breakthrough instigated a whole new field of therapy
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in encouraging
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 instigating
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
20 June 2026
Kansas City police are continuing to search for a 22-year-old man suspected of instigating a string of shootings Tuesday night, who has now escaped two standoffs with law enforcement.
—
Ilana Arougheti
june 18,
Kansas City Star,
18 June 2026
And Washington, of course, had nothing to do with instigating or inciting the insurrection.
—
New York Times,
11 June 2026
But eventually, the rain wound up instigating the first moment on the show that was truly Love Island.
—
Anna Peele,
Vulture,
20 May 2026
Settlers moving West had used various tactics since Colonial times to advance despite the presence of Native Americans, whether through legal moves such as treaties or by instigating conflicts, Andrews said.
—
Judith Kohler,
Denver Post,
20 May 2026
The French president warned against instigating panic with talk about fuel shortages as a result of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz from which roughly a fifth of the world’s oil and gas passes.
—
ABC News,
25 Apr. 2026
Some of its members and those of some of its sister organizations have been implicated in – or accused of - instigating attacks against India's Muslim and Christian minorities.
—
Rob Schmitz,
NPR,
25 Apr. 2026
Peters was also arrested earlier this year on misdemeanor battery charges after reportedly instigating a fight between two women and exploiting them by posting the footage online.
—
Victor Tangermann,
Futurism,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
This new ceasefire was broken once again on Saturday, with both sides accusing the other of instigating the violence.
—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
20 June 2026
Kansas City police are continuing to search for a 22-year-old man suspected of instigating a string of shootings Tuesday night, who has now escaped two standoffs with law enforcement.
—
Ilana Arougheti
june 18,
Kansas City Star,
18 June 2026
And Washington, of course, had nothing to do with instigating or inciting the insurrection.
—
New York Times,
11 June 2026
But eventually, the rain wound up instigating the first moment on the show that was truly Love Island.
—
Anna Peele,
Vulture,
20 May 2026
Settlers moving West had used various tactics since Colonial times to advance despite the presence of Native Americans, whether through legal moves such as treaties or by instigating conflicts, Andrews said.
—
Judith Kohler,
Denver Post,
20 May 2026
The French president warned against instigating panic with talk about fuel shortages as a result of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz from which roughly a fifth of the world’s oil and gas passes.
—
ABC News,
25 Apr. 2026
Some of its members and those of some of its sister organizations have been implicated in – or accused of - instigating attacks against India's Muslim and Christian minorities.
—
Rob Schmitz,
NPR,
25 Apr. 2026
Peters was also arrested earlier this year on misdemeanor battery charges after reportedly instigating a fight between two women and exploiting them by posting the footage online.
—
Victor Tangermann,
Futurism,
15 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instigating
Adjective
-
Digital platforms further amplify provocative behavior, potentially normalizing hate.
-
That can desensitize us to actions that in another context would be seen as deeply provocative.
Verb
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If that conversation also seems too anxiety-provoking, focus on modes of communication that do feel accessible to you.
-
Temperatures reached historic highs Historic high temperatures in 2003, surpassed this time, were blamed for 15,000 deaths, provoking a national reckoning about care of older people, who were particularly hard-hit.
Verb
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The commission has launched several initiatives leading up to the anniversary, including America's Field Trip, a nationwide essay and artwork contest for students, and volunteer service campaigns encouraging Americans to log community service hours.
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No one was ever charged with pulling the trigger, but three other men, Paul McIntyre, 58, Peter Cavanagh, 37, and Jordan Gareth Devine, 25, were charged with murder as accomplices for encouraging or assisting the shooter.
Adjective
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What Happens Next Greene is likely to continue stoking controversy by breaking with her party, as conversations around immigration remain charged and divisive.
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It is made all the more charged, though, because of what this team means in a cultural one.
Verb
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Good Chop is dedicated to providing the finest cuts of meat while promoting sustainable practices.
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The company threw a lavish caviar party at Cannes and in May hosted panels promoting its cinematic tool at Amazon’s AI on the Lot event in Culver City.
Verb
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The process involved suctioning the newborn's airway and stimulating him.
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The addition of crushed silicate rock such as basalt to the soil can improve tree nutrition in two ways, either by stimulating tree growth via directly releasing nutrients into the soil, or by increasing soil PH.
Verb
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Kyiv’s forces have especially targeted supplies to Crimea, triggering the worst fuel crisis on the Black Sea peninsula since it was illegally annexed by Russia in 2014 and delivering a blow to the Kremlin’s narrative that Moscow is winning the war.
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Instead, the ultra-rich often hold onto their assets, allowing unrealized gains on stocks, bonds and other investments to compound in value for years without triggering taxes.
Verb
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But a fresh start comes with plenty of new challenges — from rival ranchers and relentless cattle work to the unexpected trials of raising their teenage son, Carter (Finn Little).
-
SpaceX went public in June, raising roughly $75 billion in the largest IPO on record.
Cite this Entry
“Instigating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instigating. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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