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Activate vs Instigate - What's the difference?

activate | instigate | Related terms |

Activate is a related term of instigate.


As verbs the difference between activate and instigate

is that activate is to put into action, to put to work while instigate is to goad or urge forward; to set on; to provoke; to incite.

activate

English

Verb

(activat)
  • To put into action, to put to work.
  • To turn on.

    • Synonyms

    * actuate

    Antonyms

    * deactivate

    Anagrams

    * English ergative verbs

    instigate

    English

    (Webster 1913)

    Verb

    (instigat)
  • To goad or urge forward; to set on; to provoke; to incite.
    • He hath only instigated his blackest agents to the very extent of their malignity. -Bp. Warburton.

    Usage notes

    Commonly used with reference to evil actions; as, to instigate one to a crime.

    Synonyms

    * (to goad or urge forward): animate, encourage, impel, incite, provoke, spur, stimulate, tempt, urge

    Antonyms

    * (to goad or urge forward): halt, prevent, stop

    Derived terms

    * instigation * instigator

    External links

    * * ----