INSTIGATED Synonyms: 101 Similar and Opposite Words

instigated

verb

past tense of instigate

as in provoked

to bring (something volatile or intense) into being the medical breakthrough instigated a whole new field of therapy

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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

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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 Those same cartels instigated the crisis that gripped Mexico during my travels. — Vann R. Newkirk Ii, The Atlantic, 28 July 2026 The other inmate involved in the altercation made a remark to Combs, which instigated the event, the source said. — Luke Barr, ABC News, 24 July 2026 John Tunstall’s store, the establishment of which instigated the Lincoln County Wars, is still stocked with original 19th-century merchandise such as ammunition and men’s suit buttons. — Allison Savage Bates, Denver Post, 19 July 2026 Prosecutors concluded that the Boulis murder, though instigated by his dispute with Kidan, was Moscatiello’s idea alone. — Rafael Olmeda, Sun Sentinel, 5 July 2026 This is the first visible work for the redevelopment, with more cosmetic changes having also been instigated — such as the removal of club offices to the building above the Whitehorse Lane end, which previously hosted the Crystals nightclub. — Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 30 June 2026 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for instigated

Verb

But this latest barrage is both broader and more intense, largely because Ukraine’s recent successes, particularly inside Russia, have provoked Putin to try to reclaim battlefield momentum.

— Ian Bremmer, Time, 31 July 2026
That bitter end came in extra time at the 2006 World Cup final, when Zidane, who had already said the game would be his last as a player at age 34, was provoked into headbutting opponent Marco Materazzi and got sent off.

— Charlotte Harpur, New York Times, 28 July 2026

Definition of provoked

Verb

Crystal Sosa said her husband encouraged her to take on the challenge.

— Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 7 Aug. 2026
Communal spaces create an environment where guests and crew are encouraged to interact, while low-maintenance materials aim to maximize crew productivity.

— Bill Springer, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of encouraged

Verb

In July 2024, heavy rain triggered a severe mudslide that killed at least 257 people in southern Ethiopia, per AP.

— Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 5 Aug. 2026
The July gains came after Citadel acquired the bulk of the public-stock portfolio formerly held by Situational Awareness late last month, following the hedge fund's rapid unraveling after steep losses triggered margin calls and forced asset sales.

— Yun Li, CNBC, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of triggered

Verb

Beijing's pullback of NEV subsidies, which had previously stimulated consumer appetite, has tempered demand for cars in 2026.

— Matthew Tan,Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 20 July 2026
Many major tech companies engineered environments designed to keep smart people in the building longer—fed, caffeinated and stimulated enough to move at a pace that older, slower companies couldn't match.

— Vince Carrabba, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026

Definition of stimulated

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instigated

instigates

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“Instigated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instigated. Accessed 9 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of instigated

verb

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