What is the difference between incite and instigate?

Instigate is a synonym of incite.

is that incite is to rouse, stir up or excite while instigate is to goad or urge forward; to set on; to provoke; to incite.

(incit)

To rouse, stir up or excite.

The judge was told by the accused that his friends had to incite him to commit the crime.

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(Webster 1913)

(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.

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

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

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

* instigation * instigator

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