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Instigation Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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instigation

[หŒษชnstษชหˆษกeษชสƒ(ษ™)n ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

criminal law

The act of provoking or urging someone to commit a crime.

Synonyms

encouragement, incitement.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
instigation

Used when someone is the cause or origin of something, usually with a negative implication.

  • The instigation of the conflict was still unclear
  • Her instigation of the fraud led to severe consequences
incitement

Used when someone is provoking or urging others, often in a negative or illegal way.

  • He was arrested for the incitement of violence
  • The speech was seen as incitement to rebellion
encouragement

Used when someone is supporting or motivating another person in a positive way.

  • Her words of encouragement helped him finish the race
  • The teacher's encouragement boosted his confidence

Examples of usage

  • He was charged with instigation to commit murder.
  • The instigation of violence is a serious offense.
Context #2 | Noun

general

The action of initiating a process or event.

Synonyms

commencement, initiation.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
instigation

This word is used in situations where someone is provoking or encouraging an action, often with a negative connotation.

  • The protest was organized at the instigation of the activists.
  • She was accused of instigation of violence.
initiation

Often used in the context of starting a project, process, or in rituals or ceremonies marking the admission of someone into a group or organization.

  • The initiation of the new project took place last week.
  • He went through a challenging initiation process to become a member of the club.
commencement

This term is often used in formal or official scenarios to describe the beginning of an event, process, or time period.

  • The commencement of the new academic year is scheduled for September.
  • The commencement ceremony for the graduates will start at 10 AM.

Examples of usage

  • The instigation of the project came from the CEO.
  • His instigation led to a series of positive changes within the company.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

  • Instigation can often relate to group dynamics, where one person's encouragement can lead to collective behavior.
  • In behavior studies, instigation is linked to peer influence, particularly in adolescents who often follow friends' prompts.

Law

  • In legal terms, instigation can indicate inciting someone to commit a crime, impacting culpability and accountability.
  • Courts distinguish between instigation and mere encouragement; the former can lead to charges of conspiracy or other offenses.

Literature

  • Many classic novels explore themes of instigation, often showing how characters' actions influence others' fates, like in Shakespeare's 'Julius Caesar'.
  • In dystopian literature, instigation is often portrayed as a tool used by oppressive regimes to provoke rebellion or chaos.

Pop Culture

  • In movies, characters often instigate conflict, leading to dramatic plot twists, such as a villain manipulating heroes into a showdown.
  • Social media trends often see instigation through challenges or pranks, spreading quickly among users and sparking reactions.

Origin of 'instigation'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from Latin 'instigare', meaning 'to urge on' or 'to incite', which gives a sense of pushing someone to act.
  • In English, 'instigation' has been used since the late 14th century to describe actions that provoke others.

The word 'instigation' originated from the Latin word 'instigare', which means 'to incite'. It has been used in English since the 16th century to refer to the act of provoking or urging someone to do something, especially something negative like a crime. Over time, the term has also been used more broadly to describe the initiation or commencement of various processes or events.

See also: instigate, instigating, instigator.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #18,069, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.