instigate

To initiate or bring about, often by inciting.

To urge on; goad.

To stimulate to an action or course; incite to do something; set or goad on; urge: generally in a bad sense: as, to instigate one to commit a crime.

To stir up; foment; bring about by incitement or persuasion: as, to instigate crime or insurrection; to instigate a quarrel.

To goad or urge forward; to set on; to provoke; to incite; — used chiefly with reference to evil actions.

To goad or urge forward; to set on; to provoke; to incite.

serve as the inciting cause of

provoke or stir up