Instigate and Start

Instigate

Instigate verb - To bring (something volatile or intense) into being.

Start is a synonym for instigate in influence topic. In some cases you can use "Start" instead a verb "Instigate", when it comes to topics like provoke, set in motion.

Start

Start verb - To cause to function.
Usage example: trying to start the car on a frigid morning

Instigate is a synonym for start in begin topic. Sometimes you can use "Instigate" instead a verb "Start", if it concerns topics such as set in motion.

Common collocations

people instigate people start people
race instigate race start race
relationship instigate relationship start relationship
plot instigate plot start plot
Other words: turn, end, affair, time, plan, story, apocalypse, revolution, fight, battle, brawl, investigation, invasion, riot, rebellion, war, fights, wars.

Both words in one sentence

  • The Systems Alliance-Vies War: Members of CDN are present for (and help instigate) the start of a small-scale war.
  • Tabletop Game / Planescape You Can't Fight Fate: Rowan Darkwood, who discovers that he was destined to instigate, start, and end the Faction War he started all in one go... Your Mind Makes It Real: Gravity in the Plane of Air works like this.
Cite this Source
Start and Instigate. (2016). Retrieved 2026, August 13, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/instigate/start
Instigate & Start. N.p., 2016. Web. 13 Aug. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/instigate/start>.
Start or Instigate. 2016. Accessed August 13, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/instigate/start.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "instigate" and "start" have occurred on timeline