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
“Oh snap,” Freddy said, trying to instigate a throwdown.
From "The Stars Beneath Our Feet" by David Barclay Moore
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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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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
The review was instigated after letters to staff at the maternity unit, as well as "unusual actions" on the unit during a visit by healthcare inspectors.
From BBC ● Jun. 16, 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
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Kaplan accused her of instigating the investigation, and began to strip her of managerial authority, the complaint says.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 25, 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
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
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Vocabulary lists containing instigate
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