instigate Meaning, Definition & Usage

verb provoke or stir up
set off; incite; stir up.
- incite a riot
- set off great unrest among the people
verb serve as the inciting cause of
prompt; inspire.
- She prompted me to call my relatives

L. instigatus, p. p. of instigare to instigate; pref. in- in + a root akin to G. stechen to prick, E. stick. See Stick.

imperfect & past participle Instigated ; present participle & verbal noun Instigating

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.