Vocabulary in context
SAT Vocabulary Workbook
The closest companion to SATVocab for students who want guided lessons and written practice.
Check the workbook
Instigate
To urge, provoke, or start something, often by incitement; to initiate an action or event.
verbCheck this word before you leave
Pick the meaning. Keys A–D work too.
How well do you know this word now?
Your choice schedules the next review.
💡
Imagine This
Imagine a rumor spreading through a school; one student quietly teases a classmate, who then tells a friend, and soon the whole school instigates a protest against a new rule.
🔊
Sounds Like
IN-stih-geyt (IPA: /ˈɪn.stɪ.ɡeɪt/)
👀
Looks Like
Visually resembles 'investigate' in spelling; begins with 'in' and ends with 'gate'.
📝
Remember This
Instigate often carries a negative tone: to urge others toward conflict or trouble. The root is Latin instīgāre, meaning 'to goad' or 'urge on'.
📚
Other Forms
instigationnoun
instigatornoun
📌
Note
Use instigate with a direct object: instigate something (instigate a fight, instigate an investigation) or instigate someone to do something (instigate others to protest). Do not confuse with investigate, which means to examine carefully.
🧠
Study Deeper
Examples
- The manager's controversial policy changes instigated a wave of employee protests.
- Her careless comment instigated a feud between neighboring families.
Synonyms
inciteprovokespurfomenttrigger
Antonyms
deterquellsuppress
Etymology
From Latin instīgāre 'to goad, urge on', from in- 'toward' + stīgāre 'to goad'.
Mnemonic
Mnemonic: IN STIR GATE. Picture someone saying 'stir the pot' to set things in motion, and a gate opening to chaos—instigate means to cause or start something.
Next Word
Continue in alphabetical order.
Try a Random Word
Pick any word below to jump in.
Prevail
verbTo be more powerful or successful than opposing forces; to win or triumph; also to persuade someone to do something (as in prevail upon).
Retraction
nounThe act of withdrawing a statement or claim; a formal reversal or correction of something previously stated or published.
Laconic
adjectiveExpressed in only a few words; concise to the point of seeming abrupt.
Similar Words
Related words and words with the same part of speech.
Incite
verbTo urge, provoke, or stimulate to action, often by arousing strong feelings; to stir up or excite others.
Foment
verbTo stir up, incite, or foster the growth of something, especially trouble, unrest, or rebellion.
Abandon
verbTo give up completely, to desert or leave behind, or to relinquish a claim, plan, or responsibility.
Abate
verbTo decrease in amount or intensity; to reduce or end something.
Abolish
verbTo formally end or repeal a system, practice, or institution; to officially put an end to something established.
Abridge
verbTo shorten (a text, speech, or other work) by omitting parts; to condense.
Study beyond this word
Turn vocabulary practice into a complete SAT plan
Add a workbook for repetition or the official guide for full-test context.
First-time test takers
Official SAT Guide
Official question styles, test structure, and print practice from the College Board.
Check the official guidePaid Amazon links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.