instigates

verb

present tense third-person singular of instigate
1
as in provokes
to bring (something volatile or intense) into being the medical breakthrough instigated a whole new field of therapy

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in encourages
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 instigates This impasse instigates the Ten Plagues, which are listed below in English and Hebrew. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 31 Mar. 2026 This Ministry frequently interferes in employers’ decisions, instigates acts of discrimination by authorities and organizations, brings weight to bear on the organs of justice and even orchestrates propaganda campaigns in the media. — Jonny Diamond, Literary Hub, 10 Oct. 2025 What ignites or instigates that response, outside of being done with the machine? — Abbey White, HollywoodReporter, 25 Sep. 2025 Sagittariuses usually prefer to have the last word — which is exactly how Becky instigates matters with Robin. — Lisa Stardust, PEOPLE, 19 Sep. 2025 Von then explains that drinking instigates the desire to do coke. — Brady Brickner-Wood, The New Yorker, 10 Oct. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instigates
  1. provokes
  2. encourages
  3. promotes
  4. stimulates
Verb
  • Another question, says Professor Trotti at Ithaca College, is whether a public execution portrays strength or provokes horror.
    — Patrik Jonsson, Christian Science Monitor, 10 Oct. 2026
  • In deceptively plain diction, the hurdle of one love relationship provokes an exploration of desire and belonging.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of provokes
Verb
  • Applied to a solo outing, that approach encourages diners to appreciate the meal in front of them instead of scrolling through their phones.
    — Ashley Lynch, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Jordan says a recent guideline change encourages doctors to diagnose and treat sooner based on symptoms.
    — Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of encourages
Verb
  • Mega Live events, which app users can register for in advance, are often 12 hours long, and Kelly said that 24-hour Lives can produce five times the GMV of a 12-hour Live, as the algorithm promotes a stream more dedicatedly the longer it’s been on.
    — Noor Lobad, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Homeland Security devoted $20 million to the campaign, which critics say promotes Trump’s political message rather than helping the public access government services.
    — Gene Johnson, Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of promotes
Verb
  • Observation generates hypotheses; hypotheses lead to anatomical investigation; anatomy stimulates physiological questions; physiology eventually produces clinical trials.
    — Subramaniam C. Krishnan, STAT, 28 Sep. 2026
  • The intimate spa offers a number of different treatments and beauty rituals, but the standout one is Oro di Amalfi, an exclusive massage with natural lemon oils that relaxes and stimulates the chakras.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of stimulates

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Cite this Entry

“Instigates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instigates. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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