The Collaborative International Dictionary
Instigate \In"sti*gate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Instigated; p. pr. & vb. n. Instigating.] [L. instigatus, p. p. of instigare to instigate; pref. in- in + a root akin to G. stechen to prick, E. stick. See Stick.] To goad or urge forward; to set on; to provoke; to incite; -- used chiefly with reference to evil actions; as, to instigate one to a crime.
He hath only instigated his blackest agents to the very
extent of their malignity.
--Bp.
Warburton.
Syn: To stimulate; urge; spur; provoke; tempt; incite; impel; encourage; animate.
Wiktionary
vb. (present participle of instigate English)
Usage examples of "instigating".
Besides, it had a hunch that she might find the current civilisational situation interesting enough to be re-born, and it rather liked the idea of instigating such a response.
You see, the temporal nodalities that we call 'events' require instigating forces.
Edward Rose, the interpreter, whose sinister looks we have already mentioned, was denounced by this secret informer as a designing, treacherous scoundrel, who was tampering with the fidelity of certain of the men, and instigating them to a flagrant piece of treason.
The agents of the Northwest Company, in instigating the expedition, had talked of immense booty to be made by the fortunate captors of Astoria.
Why go to the trouble of instigating a war, which the Settlers might begin by a surprise raid on Spacer worlds that would do considerable damage?
I have pointed out that they cannot be deliberately instigating a war, so it is much more likely that they are playing for time.