instigate
Use Instigate in a sentence
stɪˌgeɪt verb (used with object), in·sti·gat·ed, in·sti·gat·ing.
1.
to cause by incitement; foment: to instigate a quarrel.
2.
to urge, provoke, or incite to some action or course: to instigate the people to revolt.
Origin:
1535–45; < Latin instīgātus past participle of instīgāre to goad on, impel, equivalent to in- in-2 + -stīg- goad, prick (akin to stigma, stick2) + -ātus -ate1
1535–45; < Latin instīgātus past participle of instīgāre to goad on, impel, equivalent to in- in-2 + -stīg- goad, prick (akin to stigma, stick2) + -ātus -ate1
Related forms
in·sti·gat·ing·ly, adverb
in·sti·ga·tive, adjective
un·in·sti·gat·ed, adjective
un·in·sti·ga·tive, adjective
Synonyms
1. arouse, provoke. 2. induce, stimulate, encourage, push; initiate, start.
1. arouse, provoke. 2. induce, stimulate, encourage, push; initiate, start.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
|
Link To instigate
00:10
Instigate
is always a great word to know.
So is ninnyhammer. Does it mean:
| a children's mummer's parade, as on the Fourth of July, with prizes for the best costumes. |
| a fool or simpleton; ninny. |
Collins
World English Dictionary
instigate (ˈɪnstɪˌɡeɪt) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —vb | |
| 1. | to bring about, as by incitement or urging: to instigate rebellion |
| 2. | to urge on to some drastic or inadvisable action |
| [C16: from Latin instīgāre to stimulate, incite; compare Greek stizein to prick] | |
| 'instigatingly | |
| —adv | |
| insti'gation | |
| —n | |
| 'instigative | |
| —adj | |
| 'instigator | |
| —n | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Cite This Source
Example sentences
The idea is not to instigate or inspire change, but rather to control and manage it.
Interaction among delinquent peers seems to instigate crimes and escalate their severity.
As a matter of fact, any changes you instigate could cause troublesome complications.
Related Searches
Nearby Words
Copyright © 2013 Dictionary.com, LLC. All rights reserved.
