instigate

1. (transitive) To bring about by urging or encouraging.Examples: "to instigate a riot"; "to instigate a change"; "In light of growing outrage against Mecham, House special counsel William French instigated an investigation into the governor's affairs last fall."Synonyms: foment, provoketransitive

2. (transitive) To goad or urge (a person) forward, especially to wicked actions.Examples: "to instigate someone to a crime"; "he might instigate them to swear against the law of God"; "He hath only instigated his blackest agents to the very extent of their malignity."Synonyms: animate, encourage, impel, incite, provoke, spur, stimulate, temptAntonyms: halt, prevent, stoptransitive