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.
See Examples For:
Abby suspected Reynolds had his own reasons for urging Ned to remove her: to instigate the sale of Fidelity.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 17, 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
Nigel Farage needs to instigate an urgent review of his entire Staffordshire operation.
From BBC ● Dec. 5, 2025
Please instigate a “no call zone” that covers the Dodger bullpen.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 20, 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
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
The phone call between US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer was brief, I am told, and was instigated by the White House.
From BBC ● Feb. 28, 2026
Sachs finally gained entrance to the Oval Office on October 11, a few weeks after the Nazi invasion of Poland had instigated the European war.
From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik
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
Paz's government accuses him of instigating the unrest.
From BBC ● May 24, 2026
Supporters say Balen was echoing public anger over the protester deaths, not instigating it.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 4, 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
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
Vocabulary lists containing instigate
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