1. to cause or encourage someone to do something, especially something bad or harmful
Usage: past tense and past participle of instigate

Examples

• The older students instigated the food fight in the cafeteria.
• She instigated the argument by making rude comments.
• The protest was instigated by concerns over the new policy.
• He was accused of having instigated the riot.
• The investigation revealed who had instigated the conflict.
• The rumors were instigated by jealous competitors.