What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
instigated
Example
She instigated the plan to renovate the old building. [instigated: past tense]
Example
The coach instigated the team to work harder and improve their performance. [instigated: verb]
provoke
Example
His rude behavior provoked her to leave the party early. [provoked: past tense]
Example
The protesters were trying to provoke a reaction from the police. [provoke: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Provoke is more commonly used than instigate in everyday language. Provoke is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while instigate is less common and refers to specific situations where someone takes the initiative to start a process or action.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between instigated and provoke?
Instigate is typically associated with a more formal tone, while provoke is more versatile and can be employed in both formal and informal contexts.
