instigate
/ˈɪn.stɪ.ɡeɪt/- 1.
To cause something — usually something bad or troublesome — to start happening. The person who instigates often works in the background, pushing or encouraging others to act.
- He instigated the fight by spreading false rumours about his rival.
- The union leader instigated a strike across all three factories.
- Police believe a small group instigated the violence at the rally.
- 2.
In formal or legal contexts, to officially begin or set in motion a formal process such as an inquiry or investigation.
- The board instigated an internal review after the scandal broke.
- Authorities instigated proceedings against the company last month.
Adinary Nuance
Instigate sits in a cluster of words that all mean "to start something" — but each one does it differently. Incite is louder and more emotional; you incite a crowd by speaking to them directly. Instigate is quieter and more behind-the-scenes — the instigator often stays out of sight while others act. Provoke focuses on causing a reaction in someone else, while instigate focuses on deliberately starting a chain of events. Initiate is the neutral cousin — you initiate a project, but you instigate a conflict. Almost every time you use instigate, there is a moral judgement attached: someone is responsible for making something bad happen.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- Xúi giục
- Spanish
- Instigar
- Chinese
- 煽动
- Japanese
- そそのかす
- Korean
- 선동하다
Etymology
From Latin *instigare*, meaning "to goad" or "urge forward," formed from *in-* (on, into) and *stigare* (to prick or prod). The word entered English in the mid-16th century and has carried a sense of hidden or scheming influence ever since.
Common phrases
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is 'instigate' always negative in meaning?
- Almost always, yes. It usually implies that someone is deliberately stirring up trouble. The one exception is formal usage like 'instigate an investigation,' which is neutral and common in legal or journalistic writing.
- What is the difference between 'instigate' and 'incite'?
- 'Incite' is more direct and emotional — you incite a crowd by speaking to them. 'Instigate' suggests a more hidden role, where the person starts trouble from behind the scenes without being directly visible.
- Can I use 'instigate' in IELTS or academic writing?
- Yes, it is an academic-register word and works well in IELTS Task 2 essays when discussing the causes of conflict, violence, or social unrest. Be careful to use it in a clearly negative or formal legal context.
- What is the noun form of 'instigate'?
- The noun form is 'instigation.' A common set phrase is 'at the instigation of someone,' meaning that person was responsible for starting something — for example, 'The protest began at the instigation of the student union.'