INSTIGATE: Synonyms and Related Words. What is Another Word for INSTIGATE?

Need another word that means the same as “instigate”? Find 49 synonyms and 30 related words for “instigate” in this overview.

The synonyms of “Instigate” are: incite, set off, stir up, inspire, prompt, set in motion, put in motion, get under way, get going, get off the ground, get in operation, start, begin, initiate, launch, institute, lay the foundations of, lay the first stone of, sow the seeds of, set up, inaugurate, found, establish, put in place, organize, get working, get functioning, activate, encourage, urge, goad, provoke, spur on, drive on, egg on, entice, stimulate, push, press, prod, induce, impel, prevail upon, constrain, motivate, make, influence, persuade, sway

Instigate as a Verb

Definitions of "Instigate" as a verb

According to the Oxford Dictionary of English, “instigate” as a verb can have the following definitions:

  • Incite someone to do something, especially something bad.
  • Bring about or initiate (an action or event.
  • Provoke or stir up.
  • Serve as the inciting cause of.

Synonyms of "Instigate" as a verb (49 Words)

activateMake active or more active.
A DNA repair enzyme that is activated by visible light.
beginBegin to speak or say he began.
Begin a new chapter in your life.
constrainCompel or force (someone) to follow a particular course of action.
Agricultural development is considerably constrained by climate.
drive onOperate or control a vehicle.
egg onThrow eggs at.
encourageInspire with confidence; give hope or courage to.
The intention is to encourage new writing talent.
enticeAttract or tempt by offering pleasure or advantage.
The treat is offered to entice the dog to eat.
establishInstitute enact or establish.
Establish the location with a wide shot.
foundSet up or found.
get functioningTake the first step or steps in carrying out an action.
get goingTake the first step or steps in carrying out an action.
get in operationReach a destination; arrive by movement or progress.
get off the groundIrritate.
get under waySucceed in catching or seizing, especially after a chase.
get workingIrritate.
goadGoad or provoke as by constant criticism.
He was trying to goad her into a fight.
impelDrive, force, or urge (someone) to do something.
A lack of equality impelled the oppressed to fight.
inaugurateCommence officially.
The new President will be inaugurated on January 20.
inciteUrge on; cause to act.
They conspired to incite riots.
induceBring on childbirth in (a pregnant woman) artificially, typically by the use of drugs.
The ads induced me to buy a VCR.
influenceHave and exert influence or effect.
The artist s work influenced the young painter.
initiateTake the lead or initiative in; participate in the development of.
African men are initiated when they reach puberty.
inspireBreathe in (air); inhale.
They can expand their lungs and inspire enough gas to satisfy oxygen requirements.
instituteAdvance or set forth in court.
The award was instituted in 1900.
launchLaunch for the first time launch on a maiden voyage.
He launched a biting attack on BBC chiefs.
lay the first stone ofPut into a certain place or abstract location.
lay the foundations ofPut into a certain place or abstract location.
makeMake or cause to be or to become.
Make an effort.
motivateProvide (someone) with a reason for doing something.
He was primarily motivated by the desire for profit.
organizePlan and direct (a complex undertaking.
Julie organized food and drink for the band.
persuadeInduce (someone) to do something through reasoning or argument.
Health boards were finally persuaded of the desirability of psychiatric units.
pressCreate by pressing.
The mob was still pressing forward.
prevail uponContinue to exist.
prompt(of an event or fact) cause or bring about (an action or feeling.
And the picture he prompted.
provokeEvoke or provoke to appear or occur.
Rachel refused to be provoked.
pushMake strenuous pushing movements during birth to expel the baby.
He pushed at the skylight but it wouldn t budge.
put in motionArrange thoughts, ideas, temporal events.
put in placeEstimate.
set in motionDecide upon or fix definitely.
set offGet ready for a particular purpose or event.
set upPut or set (seeds, seedlings, or plants) into the ground.
sow the seeds ofPlace seeds in or on (the ground.
spur onGoad with spurs.
startGive a signal to competitors to start in a race.
She startled when I walked into the room.
stimulateEncourage or arouse interest or enthusiasm in.
The courses stimulate a passion for learning.
stir upAffect emotionally.
swayMove or walk in a swinging or swaying manner.
Wind rattled and swayed the trees.
urgeEncourage someone to continue or succeed.
Drawing up outside the house he urged her inside.

Usage Examples of "Instigate" as a verb

  • Instigating men to refuse allegiance to the civil powers.
  • I will be instigating legal proceedings.
  • They instigated a reign of terror.

Associations of "Instigate" (30 Words)

agitativeCausing or tending to cause anger or resentment.
animateEndowed with animal life as distinguished from plant life.
Much loved characters have been animated in this Franco Canadian co production.
arousalMutual sexual fondling prior to sexual intercourse.
The purpose of art is the arousal of emotions.
arouseStimulate sexually.
She had been aroused from deep slumber.
catalystA substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction without itself undergoing any permanent chemical change.
The invasion acted as a catalyst to unite the country.
catalyzeChange by catalysis or cause to catalyze.
deedConvey or transfer property or rights by legal deed.
Doing good deeds.
encourageSpur on.
Pupils are encouraged to be creative.
energizeSupply energy, typically kinetic or electrical energy, to (something.
Floor sensors are energized by standing passengers.
enlivenMake lively.
The wartime routine was enlivened by a series of concerts.
excitationThe neural or electrical arousal of an organ or muscle or gland.
Continuous rotation of the motor by sequential excitation of the phase windings.
exciteCause to be agitated excited or roused.
Excite the neurons.
exhortStrongly encourage or urge (someone) to do something.
I exhorted her to be a good child.
impelDrive forward; propel.
Financial difficulties impelled him to desperate measures.
inciteGive an incentive for action.
He incited loyal subjects to rebellion.
incitementAn act of urging on or spurring on or rousing to action or instigating.
The incitement of mutiny.
induceCause to arise.
The current in the primary winding is induced by the rotating magnet.
inspireGive rise to.
The lung cancer patient cannot inspire air very well.
instigationThe verbal act of urging on.
The Domesday Survey was compiled at the instigation of William I.
invigorateImpart vigor, strength, or vitality to.
The cold water invigorated him.
invokeCall on (a deity or spirit) in prayer, as a witness, or for inspiration.
The antiquated defence of insanity is rarely invoked in England.
motivateProvide (someone) with a reason for doing something.
He was primarily motivated by the desire for profit.
persuadeCause somebody to adopt a certain position, belief, or course of action; twist somebody’s arm.
It wasn t easy but I persuaded him to do the right thing.
provocationSomething that incites or provokes; a means of arousing or stirring to action.
He burst into tears at the slightest provocation.
provokeEvoke or provoke to appear or occur.
The decision provoked a storm of protest from civil rights organizations.
rouseCause to be agitated excited or roused.
Rouse the cable out.
spurStrike with a spur.
Spur horses.
stimulateCause to do; cause to act in a specified manner.
Stimulate my appetite.
stirMix or add by stirring.
They will be stirred to action by what is written.
urgeA strong desire or impulse.
Do try to relax she urged.

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