English

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Etymology

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From the Latin īnstīgātus, past participle of īnstīgāre (to instigate), from prefix in- (in) + *stigare, akin to stinguere (push, goad). Compare German stechen (to prick), English stick.

Pronunciation

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  • IPA(key): /ˈɪnstəɡeɪt/
  • Audio (US):(file)

Verb

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instigate (third-person singular simple present instigates, present participle instigating, simple past and past participle instigated)

  1. (transitive) To bring about by urging or encouraging.
    Synonyms: foment, provoke
    to instigate a riot
    to instigate a change
    • 2017, Desa Markovic, Working with Sexual Issues in Psychotherapy:
      If the man perceives that his partner has arousal or orgasmic difficulties, this is likely to influence his desire to instigate sexual activity and/or his enjoyment and pleasure in being sexual with his partner.
  2. (transitive) To goad or urge (a person) forward, especially to wicked actions.
    Synonyms: animate, encourage, impel, incite, provoke, spur, stimulate, tempt, urge
    Antonyms: halt, prevent, stop
    to instigate someone to a crime
    • 1678, Robert Barclay, An Apology for the True Christian Divinity:
      he might instigate them to swear against the law of God
    • 1738–1741, William Warburton, The Divine Legation of Moses [], volume (please specify |volume=I, II.1, or II.2), London: [] Fletcher Gyles, [], →OCLC:
      He hath only instigated his blackest agents to the very extent of their malignity.

Derived terms

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Translations

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Further reading

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Esperanto

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Adverb

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instigate

  1. present adverbial passive participle of instigi

Latin

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Verb

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īnstīgāte

  1. second-person plural present active imperative of īnstīgō

Spanish

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Verb

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instigate

  1. second-person singular voseo imperative of instigar combined with te
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