Ĭn’sti-gāte, v. t.

v. t. [imp. & p. p. INSTIGATED; p. pr. & vb. n. INSTIGATING.] [Lat. instigare, instigatum, from instinguere, to incite; It. instigare, Pr. & Sp. instigar, Fr. instiguer. See INSTINCT, a.] To goad or urge forward; to set on; to provoke; to urge;—used chiefly with reference to evil actions; as, to instigate one to evil; to instigate to a crime.

He hath only instigated his blackest agents to the very extent of their malignity. Warburton.

Synonyms—To stimulate; urge; spur; provoke; tempt; incite; impel; encourage; animate.