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Invoke vs Instigate - What's the difference?

invoke | instigate |

As verbs the difference between invoke and instigate

is that invoke is to call upon (a person, especially a god) for help, assistance or guidance while instigate is to goad or urge forward; to set on; to provoke; to incite.

invoke

English

Alternative forms

* envoke

Verb

(invok)
  • To call upon (a person, especially a god) for help, assistance or guidance.
  • *
  • *
  • *
  • To appeal for validation to a (notably cited) authority.
  • In certain Christian circles invoking the Bible constitutes irrefutable proof.
  • To conjure up with incantations.
  • This satanist ritual invokes Beelzebub.
  • To bring about as an inevitable consequence.
  • Blasphemy is taboo as it may invoke divine wrath.
  • To solicit, petition for, appeal to a favorable attitude.
  • The envoy invoked the King of Kings's magnanimity to reduce his province's tribute after another draught.
  • (computing) To cause (a program or subroutine) to execute.
  • Interactive programs let the users enter choices and invoke the corresponding routines.
  • * C++ lets you invoke an operator function either by calling the function or by using the overloaded operator with its usual syntax. — Stephen Prata.
  • Synonyms

    * invocate * (sense) call, execute, run

    Derived terms

    * invoker

    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