instigate
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
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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
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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
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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
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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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Vocabulary lists containing instigate
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