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Stimulate vs Instigate - What's the difference?

stimulate | instigate | Synonyms |

Instigate is a synonym of stimulate.



As verbs the difference between stimulate and instigate

is that stimulate is to encourage into action while instigate is to goad or urge forward; to set on; to provoke; to incite.

stimulate

English

Verb

(stimulat)
  • To encourage into action.
  • To arouse an organism to functional activity.

    • Synonyms

    * (encourage) encourage, induce, provoke * (arouse) animate, arouse, energize, energise, excite, perk up

    Antonyms

    * (arouse) de-energize, sedate, stifle

    Related terms

    * stimulant * stimulation * stimulator * stimulatory * stimulus

    Anagrams

    * * ----

    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

    * * ----