INSTIGATING Synonyms: 116 Similar and Opposite Words

instigating 1 of 2

adjective

as in provocative

serving or likely to arouse a strong reaction an artist who deliberately creates instigating works of art that are sure to arouse controversy

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

instigating

2 of 2

verb

present participle of instigate

as in provoking

to bring (something volatile or intense) into being the medical breakthrough instigated a whole new field of therapy

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in encouraging

to rouse to strong feeling or action the charge that the scene in the movie had instigated teenagers to commit similar acts of vandalism

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of instigating

Verb

The instigating weather system bringing the risk to the Southwest is an upper-level low — or a high altitude pocket of cold air, low pressure and spin. — Jamie Ross, Washington Post, 21 Oct. 2026 Last year, the NFL suspended Detroit Lions safety Brian Branch for one game for instigating a scuffle with the Kansas City Chiefs. — Rebecca Tauber, New York Times, 13 Oct. 2026 But Beijing’s pressure backfired by instigating broader public support for her leadership. — Ann Scott Tyson, Christian Science Monitor, 29 July 2026 This new ceasefire was broken once again on Saturday, with both sides accusing the other of instigating the violence. — Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 20 June 2026 Kansas City police are continuing to search for a 22-year-old man suspected of instigating a string of shootings Tuesday night, who has now escaped two standoffs with law enforcement. — Ilana Arougheti june 18, Kansas City Star, 18 June 2026 But eventually, the rain wound up instigating the first moment on the show that was truly Love Island. — Anna Peele, Vulture, 20 May 2026 Settlers moving West had used various tactics since Colonial times to advance despite the presence of Native Americans, whether through legal moves such as treaties or by instigating conflicts, Andrews said. — Judith Kohler, Denver Post, 20 May 2026 Some of its members and those of some of its sister organizations have been implicated in – or accused of - instigating attacks against India's Muslim and Christian minorities. — Rob Schmitz, NPR, 25 Apr. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for instigating

Adjective

That wasn’t the only provocative subject that came up during the latest Weekend Update.

— K.J. Yossman, Variety, 24 Oct. 2026
Cold and bitter, yet still provocative, or at least trying to be.

— Sofia Franklyn, Vanity Fair, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of provocative

Verb

In 2012 American entrepreneur Russ George spread roughly 100 tons of iron in the North Pacific, provoking international criticism that a commercial venture had begun geoengineering without adequate oversight.

— Alec Luhn, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
The same principle applies to debates about religion, economics and virtually any subject capable of provoking strong emotions.

— Rabbi Bruce D. Forman, Sun Sentinel, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of provoking

Adjective

The result is an urgent, propulsive song with a raw spirit and some of Pop’s most super-charged writing with deceptively simple lyrics about love and war, dripping with desperation.

— Debby Wolfinsohn, Entertainment Weekly, 7 July 2026
What Happens Next Greene is likely to continue stoking controversy by breaking with her party, as conversations around immigration remain charged and divisive.

— Alia Shoaib, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025

Definition of charged

Verb

Peptide enthusiasts also tout laboratory studies, such as a particular peptide stimulating blood vessel growth.

— Amy Maxmen, Miami Herald, 19 Oct. 2026
In part that’s because voters see federal investment as creating local jobs and stimulating economic growth.

— Kayla Morton, The Conversation, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of stimulating

Verb

Once a dominant force in the chip manufacturing landscape, Intel hit major delays with its 7- and 10-nanometer nodes, triggering the stock's worst year ever in 2024.

— Katie Tarasov, CNBC, 21 Oct. 2026
Both scenarios would have devastating consequences—dramatically transforming sea levels and ecosystems, and triggering compounding climate extremes such as higher temperatures and drought, increasing the likelihood of wildfires.

— Simmone Shah, Time, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of triggering

Verb

And already this week, at least one county official is raising questions about why his locality is on the DOJ's list.

— Miles Parks, NPR, 22 Oct. 2026
Privacy concerns The very same design elements that make Muse so appealing to AI newcomers are also raising privacy concerns.

— Andrew R. Chow, Time, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of raising

Browse Nearby Words

instigates

instigating

instigation

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Instigating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instigating. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of instigating

adjective

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

milieu

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes