Definition

1. Noun:
   • The act of deliberately provoking or initiating something, especially trouble, discord, or an action: "Instigation" refers to the action of urging, encouraging, or inciting someone to do something, often something negative or unlawful.
   • The act of urging on: "Instigation" can also describe the verbal act of strongly encouraging or goading someone into action.

Usage and Examples

• General Usage:
  • The riot began at the instigation of a few agitators. (The riot started because a few agitators deliberately provoked it.)
  • She would never have done it without his instigation. (She was strongly urged or encouraged by him to do it.)
• Formal/Legal Context:
  • He was charged with instigation to commit fraud. (He was formally accused of encouraging others to commit fraud.)

Advanced Usage

• "At the instigation of (someone)": This phrase is used to indicate that a specific person caused something to happen by urging it.
  • The investigation was launched at the instigation of a whistleblower. (The investigation was started because a whistleblower urged for it.)
• "Acting on instigation": This describes doing something because someone else prompted or encouraged it.
  • The court found he was acting on the instigation of his superior. (The court determined he acted because his superior urged him to.)

Variants and Related Words

• Instigate (verb): To bring about or initiate (an action or event), often by urging or provoking.
  • He was accused of instigating the protest.
• Instigator (noun): A person who brings about or initiates something, especially something negative.
  • The police arrested the main instigators of the violence.

Synonyms

• Incitement: The action of provoking unlawful behavior or urging someone to behave violently.
• Provocation: Action or speech that makes someone annoyed or angry, especially deliberately.
• Prompting: The action of saying something to persuade, encourage, or remind someone to do something.

Antonyms

• Discouragement: The action of trying to persuade someone not to do something.
• Deterrence: The action of discouraging an action or event through fear of the consequences.
• Prevention: The action of stopping something from happening.

Related Phrases and Idioms

• "To be the instigating force": To be the primary cause or driving factor behind an action.
  • Her speech was the instigating force behind the policy change.
• "Instigation to violence": A specific legal or formal term for urging others to commit violent acts.
  • The law prohibits instigation to violence.

Noun

1. deliberate and intentional triggering (of trouble or discord)
2. the verbal act of urging on