To instigate means to cause something to begin, especially something disruptive or troublesome. When someone instigates a problem, they're the one who gets it started, like a student who instigates an argument between two friends by spreading rumors about what each supposedly said about the other.

The word often carries a negative feeling. An instigator typically stirs up conflict from the sidelines rather than getting directly involved. In a playground dispute, the instigator might whisper to one kid, “Did you hear what he said about you?” and then watch the fight unfold. Teachers and parents quickly learn to spot instigators because they're often the hidden cause behind visible conflicts.

However, instigate can sometimes be neutral or even positive. A curious student might instigate a fascinating class discussion by asking a provocative question. A community leader might instigate change by organizing neighbors to solve a local problem.

The key to understanding instigate is recognizing that it means actively starting something, not just letting it happen. If you accidentally knock over dominoes, you didn't instigate their fall. But if you deliberately set up a situation knowing it will cause trouble, you're instigating.