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Perpetrate vs Instigate - What's the difference?

perpetrate | instigate |

As verbs the difference between perpetrate and instigate

is that perpetrate is to be guilty of, or responsible for a crime etc; to commit while instigate is to goad or urge forward; to set on; to provoke; to incite.

perpetrate

English

Verb

(en-verb)
  • To be guilty of, or responsible for a crime etc; to commit.

    • Related terms

    * perpetration * perpetrator

    External links

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    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

    * * ----