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Definitions

instigate

[in-sti-geyt] / ˈɪn stɪˌgeɪt /


Example Sentences

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"We are against all scenarios that aim to instigate a civil war in Iran, that target ethnic or religious fault lines," Fidan told journalists in Istanbul.

From Barron's Mar. 7, 2026

Meo co-owner Tannis Ling, who spent many weekends in Chinatown with her family as a child, has helped instigate Chinatown’s resurgence.

From The Wall Street Journal Dec. 27, 2025

The faith in the ability of this trio to instigate and implement change is under scrutiny with question marks over their futures.

From BBC Nov. 30, 2025

Please instigate a “no call zone” that covers the Dodger bullpen.

From Los Angeles Times Sep. 20, 2025

Did workers, too, ever instigate violence in pursuit of their cause?

From "Fannie Never Flinched" by Mary Cronk Farrell

He instigates them, and pedantically reminds her of the rules, but his surprise and irritation become conflagrations of rage as Fonsia wins hand after hand, remaining placid and mildly abashed at her luck.

From The Wall Street Journal Jul. 23, 2026

The gene proved very active in the habenula, a region of the cichlid’s brain that registers fear and instigates movement.

From Science Magazine Apr. 24, 2024

For any adaptive behaviour associated with consciousness, there could be a nonconscious mechanism that instigates the same behaviour.

From Scientific American Nov. 7, 2023

Wombat, played by Phoebe Waller-Bridge; she instigates Marion’s return to Indy.

From Los Angeles Times Jun. 30, 2023

It seems to be in the nature of biologic information that it not only stores itself up as energy but also instigates a search for more.

From "The Lives of a Cell" by Lewis Thomas

The incident, which Beijing said was instigated by Philippine personnel, sparked a round of condemnation from Manila's allies.

From Barron's Jul. 24, 2026

Beijing said the Philippines instigated the incident by sending men in small rubber boats to approach their vessel.

From Barron's Jul. 21, 2026

In some quarters this has instigated an unrealistic disappointment.

From The Wall Street Journal May 22, 2026

Since taking a 29% stake in the club two years ago, Sir Jim Ratcliffe has instigated major cost-cutting, including two rounds of redundancies that have cut 450 jobs.

From BBC Feb. 25, 2026

Lady Jane Franklin, Franklin’s wealthy and determined wife, instigated and even financed several of the searches.

From "Shipwrecked!" by Martin W. Sandler

Police said that a suspect detained at the weekend over the attack on the 78-year-old former Conservative minister has now been re-arrested on suspicion of committing, preparing or instigating "terrorism".

From Barron's Jul. 13, 2026

Across the pond, the people most affected by the unrest, and its instigating events, are not having any of it.

From Slate Jun. 15, 2026

It all begins with a 2018 U.S. government assessment, instigating what I called a psychiatric moment for the news media.

From The Wall Street Journal May 29, 2026

The Syrian government has said it has deployed security forces to Druze areas to combat "outlaw groups" which it has accused of instigating the clashes.

From BBC May 2, 2025

“They wanted to find the adults behind the scenes. They thought there must have been a large ring that they could now break up. But there were no adults instigating us.”

From "Hitler Youth: Growing Up in Hitler's Shadow" by Susan Campbell Bartoletti




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