1. to cause or encourage someone to do something, especially something bad or violent
Usage: often implies causing trouble or conflict
2. to initiate or start something, especially a process or action
Usage: formal usage

Examples

• The protesters accused the police of trying to instigate violence.
• She was expelled for instigating fights between other students.
• The company decided to instigate new safety procedures.
• His inflammatory speech seemed designed to instigate unrest.
• The investigation was instigated by anonymous complaints.
• Don’t let him instigate an argument between you and your sister.
• The reforms were instigated by pressure from environmental groups.