MEANING
To provoke or set in motion an action, especially one that is harmful, disruptive, or violent.
Use it for
Describe the deliberate spark that sets conflict moving.Show how a word, rumor, or character triggers a volatile response.
Words that belong together
- instigate a quarrel
- instigate a revolt
- instigate violence
On the page
A whispered accusation instigated the quarrel in the chapel.
Nearby words
Opposite meanings
Word forms
- Base
- instigate
- Past tense
- instigated
- Past participle
- instigated
- Present participle
- instigating
Full tense & aspect guide
- Present
- instigate
- Present continuous
- am/is/are instigating
- Present perfect
- have/has instigated
- Present perfect continuous
- have/has been instigating
- Past
- instigated
- Past continuous
- was/were instigating
- Past perfect
- had instigated
- Past perfect continuous
- had been instigating
- Future
- will instigate
- Future continuous
- will be instigating
- Future perfect
- will have instigated
- Future perfect continuous
- will have been instigating
Choose the auxiliary that agrees with your subject. These are constructions of one word, not separate entries.
Explore related collections
Usage notes
Often implies blame or a provocative cause; it is stronger and less neutral than simply begin.
Practice this word in a sentenceYour margin notes
Keep a thought for later. Sign in to save privately.