How to pronounce instigate
Say it like IN-stuh-gayt. Instigate has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (IN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce instigate. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- IN
- stuh
- gayt
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Instigate pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- INSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- stuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- gaytGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
American vs British pronunciation of instigate
American and British speakers say instigate in essentially the same way: /ˈɪnstəˌɡeɪt/ in the US and /ˈɪnstəˌɡeɪt/ in the UK.
British respelling: IN-stuh-gayt.
What does instigate mean?
- To bring about by urging or encouraging.“to instigate a riot”
- To goad or urge (a person) forward, especially to wicked actions.“to instigate someone to a crime”
Where does instigate come from?
Borrowed from Latin īnstīgātus, perfect passive participle of īnstīgō (“to instigate”), see -ate (verb-forming suffix).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Questions about saying instigate
How do you pronounce instigate?
Say IN-stuh-gayt. The American pronunciation is /ˈɪnstəˌɡeɪt/. In British English it is /ˈɪnstəˌɡeɪt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in instigate?
Instigate has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (IN). Broken into parts: IN · stuh · gayt.
Do Americans and Brits say instigate the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈɪnstəˌɡeɪt/ and the British form is /ˈɪnstəˌɡeɪt/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.