instigate

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

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

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 20, 2025

Centre Johnny Williams was forced off to instigate a major reshuffle which involved replacement scrum-half Reuben Morgan-Williams coming on for first cap.

From BBC ● Jul. 12, 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

We don't find out who instigated the rapprochement, nor do we hear how it affected their family.

From BBC ● Sep. 7, 2026

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

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

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

As such, instigating its own investigation without a referral is relatively rare.

From BBC ● Dec. 21, 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