instigate verb - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage notes | Oxford Advanced American Dictionary at OxfordLearnersDictionaries.com

Definition of instigate verb from the Oxford Advanced American Dictionary

instigate

verb

NAmE//ˈɪnstəˌɡeɪt//

Verb Forms present simple I / you / we / they instigate

he / she / it instigates

past simple instigated

-ing form instigating

1instigate something to cause something bad to happen They were accused of instigating racial violence.

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2instigate something to make something start or happen, usually something official The government has instigated a program of economic reform.

See instigate in the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

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