instigate

English

Etymology

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

• IPA^(key): /ˈɪnstəɡeɪt/

• Audio (US)

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Verb

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 , volumes (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

Translations

Further reading

• “instigate”, in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: G. & C. Merriam, 1913, →OCLC.
• “instigate”, in The Century Dictionary , New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911, →OCLC.

Esperanto

Adverb

instigate

1. present adverbial passive participle of instigi

Latin

Verb

īnstīgāte

1. second-person plural present active imperative of īnstīgō

Spanish

Verb

instigate

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