instigate
Definitions
To bring about or start something, especially trouble.
发起，挑起
To urge or provoke someone into a course of action.
煽动，唆使
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedin- (in, on) + stig (goad, the stig- variant) + -ate (verb) = to 'goad someone on.' To instigate is to jab people into action — usually trouble: a riot, a rumor, a lawsuit. The goad image gives it its negative edge: you're prodding others to do what they might not have done alone.
Root stinct still carries 42 more wordsCommon Collocations
- 1.instigate a riot煽动暴乱
- 2.instigate violence挑起暴力
- 3.instigate change发起变革
- 4.instigate proceedings提起诉讼
Example Sentences
- 1.
He was accused of instigating the riot that left the city in chaos.
- 2.
The reforms were instigated by a small group of activists.
Easily Confused
instigate vs initiate — Both can mean 'start,' but instigate usually carries a negative or sneaky tone (instigate a fight), often goading others. initiate is neutral (initiate a project). If it's stirring up trouble → instigate; if it's simply beginning something → initiate.