instigative

adjective

Definition of instigativenext
as in provocative
serving or likely to arouse a strong reaction she is no stranger to controversy, having penned several instigative and inflammatory books attacking liberals

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for instigative
  1. provocative
  2. charged
Adjective
  • The compelling series achieves a provocative dissection of it all with rare confidence without the overindulgence of distracting CGI tossed in for sheer spectacle.
    — Jeff Spry, Space.com, 17 Oct. 2026
  • The latest comments therefore seemed predictable to regular viewers, rather than unexpectedly provocative.
    — Omar L. Gallaga, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of provocative
Adjective
  • The result is an urgent, propulsive song with a raw spirit and some of Pop’s most super-charged writing with deceptively simple lyrics about love and war, dripping with desperation.
    — Debby Wolfinsohn, Entertainment Weekly, 7 July 2026
  • What Happens Next Greene is likely to continue stoking controversy by breaking with her party, as conversations around immigration remain charged and divisive.
    — Alia Shoaib, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025
Definition of charged
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.

Browse Nearby Words

instigations
instigative
instigator
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

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