instigate

“You always hear, ‘Don’t poke the bear, don’t instigate them,’ but that’s not how you deal with a bully,” Soto-Martínez replied.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 6, 2026

"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

Manufacturers of smart glasses are "prioritising profit over women's safety and wellbeing, and need to instigate safety measures", says Rebecca Hitchen of the End Violence Against Women Coalition.

From BBC ● Jan. 24, 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

To me, it seemed like she had just wanted to instigate something negative.

From "The Stars Beneath Our Feet" by David Barclay Moore

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

In the most important Phase 3 trials, Zepbound’s highest dose instigated a 20.9% weight loss, while Wegovy’s produced a 14.9% weight loss.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 5, 2026

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

In some quarters this has instigated an unrealistic disappointment.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 22, 2026

She instigated the new restrictions, and rejects accusations of them being nanny state.

From BBC ● May 3, 2026

I’d supported, even instigated, the college talk, but I’d underestimated just how problematic getting him into college would be.

From "Geeks: How Two Lost Boys Rode the Internet Out of Idaho" by Jon Katz

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 two countries have blamed each other for instigating the fresh fighting, which has spread to nearly every province along their border.

From Barron's ● Dec. 25, 2025

Syrian authorities said security forces were deployed to Ashrafiyat Sahnaya to restore security and stability, accusing what it called "outlaw groups" based there of instigating the clashes.

From BBC ● May 1, 2025

If the tapeworm attaches to the right place in the gut, it can leech vitamin B12 from the victim, instigating a lethal form of anemia.

From "1491" by Charles C. Mann