instigated

USAGE SUMMARY

"instigated" is a correct and usable word in written English.
This word typically means to encourage, initiate, or inspire (something). For example: The campaign was instigated by a group of passionate activists.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The legislation remains blocked but the health minister, Sussan Ley, has just instigated a review which would remove free over-the-counter medications such as painkillers and antacids for pensioners and concession card holders under the safety net.

The Guardian

Malcolm Fraser might have instigated the "Razor Gang" but it was Hawke and Keating who popularised (the now almost forgotten) neologism "economic rationalism".

The Guardian - Opinion

How sad then that the Warsaw mayor's office has instigated a process to close the museum and incorporate it and its collections within a department at the larger Museum of Warsaw.

The Guardian - Arts

For the theatre, which typically attracts audiences of around 80,000 people a year, the pulling of the plug feels premature, as the company has only just embarked on a significant restructuring, instigated by the same arts fund.

The Guardian

In the last 40 years of the 18th century, nearly 700 people petitioned to change a surname by royal licence – and almost a sixth of the name changes were instigated by women who wished to see their birth names continue to posterity.

The Guardian - Books

The 1970s Australian new wave and the subsequent rise in genre film-making was instigated partly by a change in thinking.

The Guardian - Film

Now the government must take another groundbreaking step and reveal whether there was a spy-ring and, if so, whether it was instigated by UK agents.

The Guardian

Prosecutor Lyall Thompson had told the two-day trial that Winehouse had instigated a "deliberate assault" on Flash.

The Guardian - Music

This is without doubt the correct way to look while taking part in a pathetic "tradition" instigated by Republicans in the 1980s.

The Guardian - Opinion

Carne said he had instigated a programme to tidy up a railway that was "frankly, sometimes a bit of a scrapheap", including picking up tens of thousands of tonnes of old rails and sleepers.

The Guardian - Business

He instigated it and it failed".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "instigated" when you want to emphasize the active role someone or something played in starting an event or process, especially when there's a sense of purpose or intention behind the action.

Common error

Avoid using "instigated" when the subject was merely involved in an event rather than being the driving force behind its initiation. Use "participated" or "involved" instead to accurately reflect their role.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "instigated" is as a verb in the past tense, indicating an action that has already occurred. Ludwig provides numerous examples showing its use in reporting events, actions, or processes that someone or something started or encouraged. According to Ludwig AI, the word is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

8%

Science

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "instigated" functions as a past tense verb, commonly used in neutral to professional contexts to denote the initiation of an event or process. Ludwig's examples and linguistic analysis highlight its prevalence in news and media sources, as well as its grammatical correctness. The word implies an active role in starting something, which may sometimes be confused with mere participation. Alternatives such as "initiated", "prompted", and "sparked" offer nuanced options for expressing similar concepts. As affirmed by Ludwig AI, "instigated" is a reliable choice for clear and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

initiated

Focuses on the formal start of an event or process.

prompted

Emphasizes the act of encouraging or causing something to happen.

sparked

Implies a sudden or dramatic beginning, often with an element of excitement.

triggered

Suggests a chain reaction or a series of events set in motion.

incited

Highlights the act of provoking or stirring up negative emotions or actions.

fomented

Indicates the act of stirring up trouble or discord, often secretly.

catalyzed

Draws a parallel to chemical reactions, implying accelerated change.

set in motion

Focuses on the action of initiating a series of events or changes.

originated

Emphasizes the source or beginning of something.

commenced

Highlights a formal or ceremonial beginning.

FAQs

How to use "instigated" in a sentence?

You can use "instigated" to describe someone or something that initiated an event or action. For example, "The protest was instigated by local activists".

What can I say instead of "instigated"?

You can use alternatives like "initiated", "prompted", or "sparked" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "instigated" or "started"?

"Instigated" and "started" are both correct but have slightly different meanings. "Started" is more general, while "instigated" implies a deliberate action to initiate something, often with a specific purpose or goal in mind.

What's the difference between "instigated" and "provoked"?

"Instigated" generally means to initiate or set something in motion, while "provoked" implies causing a reaction, often negative. "He instigated the meeting" versus "He provoked an argument".