instigate
Translation
to instigate, to initiate, to incite
Examples
They were accused of instigating violence.
They were accused of instigating violence.
The government will instigate new measures to combat crime.
The government will instigate new measures to combat crime.
Grammar Patterns
((sth.)) to cause an event or situation to happen. The government will instigate new measures.
((sb.)) ((to do sth.)) to encourage someone to do something bad. He instigated them to riot.
Similar Words
Synonyms: provoke, initiate, incite, start; Antonyms: halt, quell, suppress
Etymology
From Latin 'instigare', meaning 'to urge on, incite'. It comes from 'in-' (towards) + 'stigare' (to prick, goad).
Memory Tips
Think of 'stinging' someone into action. To 'instigate' is to push or provoke something to start, often something negative.