instigate
US
/ˈɪnstɪɡeɪt/
UK
/ˈɪnstɪɡeɪt/
Meaning
To encourage or cause someone to do something, especially something harmful or likely to cause trouble.
किसी को कुछ करने के लिए उकसाना या भड़काना, खासकर ऐसा काम जिससे परेशानी हो सकती है।
Examples
“The leader tried to instigate a protest against the unfair policy.”
“His careless comments instigated an argument between the neighbours.”
“Police questioned the suspected instigator of the street violence.”
Useful patterns
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Common collocations
Common mistakes
Not natural: The police instigated the theft.
Better: The police investigated the theft.
Instigate means to provoke or cause an action; investigate means to examine a crime.
Instigate का मतलब किसी काम के लिए उकसाना है; अपराध की जाँच करने के लिए investigate कहते हैं।
Not natural: She instigated about a protest.
Better: She instigated a protest.
Instigate takes a direct object here; do not add “about” before the thing caused.
यहाँ instigate के बाद सीधे उस काम का नाम आता है; उससे पहले “about” नहीं लगाते।
Word Relationships
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Learner tip
Instigate often suggests deliberately starting trouble; do not confuse it with investigate, which means examine carefully.
Instigate का इस्तेमाल अक्सर जानबूझकर परेशानी शुरू करवाने के लिए होता है; इसे जाँच करने वाले investigate से न मिलाएँ।