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Impel vs Instigate - What's the difference?

impel | instigate | Synonyms |

Impel is a synonym of instigate.


As verbs the difference between impel and instigate

is that impel is to urge a person; to press on; to incite to action or motion via intrinsic motivation (contrast with propel, to compel or drive extrinsically) while instigate is to goad or urge forward; to set on; to provoke; to incite.

impel

English

Verb

(impell)
  • To urge a person; to press on; to incite to action or motion via intrinsic motivation (contrast with propel, to compel or drive extrinsically).
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  • To drive forward; to propel an object.

    • Synonyms

    * (to drive forward) propel

    Antonyms

    * expel

    Related terms

    * impellent * impeller * impulse

    References

    * *

    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

    * * ----