instigate — properly means ‘to bring about by excitement or persuasion, to foment or provoke’, and usually refers to an antisocial or discreditable action, such as violence, wars, revolts, riots, acts of terrorism, or political coups: • … a radical… … Modern English usage
instigate — index abet, agitate (activate), bait (harass), evoke, exhort, foment, impel … Law dictionary
instigate — [in′stə gāt΄] vt. instigated, instigating [< L instigatus, pp. of instigare, to stimulate, incite < in , IN 1 + stigare, to prick: for IE base see STICK] 1. to urge on, spur on, or incite to some action, esp. to some evil [to instigate… … English World dictionary
instigate — ► VERB 1) bring about or initiate. 2) (instigate to/to do) incite (someone) to do. DERIVATIVES instigation noun instigator noun. ORIGIN Latin instigare urge, incite … English terms dictionary
instigate — (v.) 1540s, back formation from instigation or else from L. instigatus, pp. of instigare to urge on, incite (see INSTIGATION (Cf. instigation)). Related: Instigated; instigates; instigating … Etymology dictionary
instigate — *incite, abet, foment Analogous words: *activate, actuate, motivate: *suggest, hint, insinuate: plan, plot, scheme (see under PLAN n) … New Dictionary of Synonyms
instigate — [v] influence, provoke abet, actuate, add fuel, bring about, egg on*, encourage, fire up*, foment, goad, hint, impel, incite, inflame, initiate, insinuate, kindle, make waves*, move, needle*, persuade, plan, plot, prompt, put up to, rabble rouse* … New thesaurus
instigate — instigatingly, adv. instigative, adj. instigator, instigant /in sti geuhnt/, n. /in sti gayt /, v.t., instigated, instigating. 1. to cause by incitement; foment: to instigate a quarrel. 2. to urge, provoke, or incite to some action or course: to… … Universalium
instigate — v. (esp. BE) (H) to instigate smb. to do smt. * * * [ ɪnstɪgeɪt] (esp. BE) (H) to instigate smb. to do smt … Combinatory dictionary
instigate — UK [ˈɪnstɪɡeɪt] / US [ˈɪnstɪˌɡeɪt] verb [transitive] Word forms instigate : present tense I/you/we/they instigate he/she/it instigates present participle instigating past tense instigated past participle instigated formal to make something start … English dictionary
