Instigate Definition

ĭnstĭ-gāt
instigated, instigates, instigating
verb
instigated, instigates, instigating
To urge on, spur on, or incite to some action, esp. to some evil.
To instigate others to rebel.
Webster's New World
To cause by inciting; foment.
To instigate a rebellion.
Webster's New World
To urge on; goad.
Tried to instigate the people to revolt.
American Heritage
Antonyms:

Origin of Instigate

  • From the Latin instigatus, past participle of instigare (“to instigate”), from prefix in- in + *stigare, akin to stinguere (“push, goad”). Akin to German stechen (“to prick”), English stick.

    From Wiktionary

  • Latin īnstīgāre īnstīgāt- steig- in Indo-European roots

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

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