Instigate
Instigate verb - To bring (something volatile or intense) into being.
Usage example: the medical breakthrough instigated a whole new field of therapy
Provoke is a synonym for instigate in incite topic. In some cases you can use "Provoke" instead a verb "Instigate", when it comes to topics like activity, urge, cause, induce. popular alternative
Provoke
Provoke verb - To rouse to strong feeling or action.
Usage example: bees generally will not sting unless they are provoked
Instigate is a synonym for provoke in arouse topic. You can use "Instigate" instead a verb "Provoke", if it concerns topics such as urge, cause, start, induce. popular alternative
Nearby Words: provocation, provoking
Mutual synonyms
Common collocations
Cite this Source
Provoke and Instigate. (2016). Retrieved 2026, August 16, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/instigate/provoke
Instigate & Provoke. N.p., 2016. Web. 16 Aug. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/instigate/provoke>.
Provoke or Instigate. 2016. Accessed August 16, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/instigate/provoke.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "instigate" and "provoke" have occurred on timeline