Definitions for: Instigate


[v] serve as the inciting cause of; "She prompted me to call my relatives"
[v] provoke or stir up; "incite a riot"; "set off great unrest among the people"



Webster (1913) Definition: In"sti*gate, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Instigated; p.
pr. & vb. n. Instigating.] [L. instigatus, p. p. of
instigare to instigate; pref. in- in + a root akin to G.
stechen to prick, E. stick. See Stick.]
To goad or urge forward; to set on; to provoke; to incite; --
used chiefly with reference to evil actions; as to instigate
one to a crime.

He hath only instigated his blackest agents to the very
extent of their malignity. --Bp.
Warburton.

Syn: To stimulate; urge; spur; provoke; tempt; incite; impel;
encourage; animate.

Synonyms: incite, inspire, prompt, set off, stir up

See Also: act, cause, get, have, induce, make, move, provoke, raise, stimulate

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