different between instigate vs sharpen

English

Etymology

From the Latin ?nst?g?tus, past participle of ?nst?g?re (“to instigate”), from prefix in- (“in”) + *stigare, akin to stinguere (“push, goad”). Compare German stechen (“to prick”), English stick.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /??nst??e?t/

Verb

instigate (third-person singular simple present instigates, present participle instigating, simple past and past participle instigated)

1. (transitive) to incite; to bring about by urging or encouraging
   • 2017, Desa Markovic, Working with Sexual Issues in Psychotherapy

     If the man perceives that his partner has arousal or orgasmic difficulties, this is likely to influence his desire to instigate sexual activity and/or his enjoyment and pleasure in being sexual with his partner.

2. (transitive) to goad or urge (a person) forward, especially to wicked actions; to provoke
   • 1678, Robert Barclay, An Apology for the True Christian Divinity

     he might instigate them to swear against the law of God

   • 1738-1741, William Warburton, Divine Legation of Moses demonstrated on the Principles of a Religious Deist

     He hath only instigated his blackest agents to the very extent of their malignity.

   Synonyms: animate, encourage, impel, incite, provoke, spur, stimulate, tempt, urge

   Antonyms: halt, prevent, stop

Derived terms

Translations

Further reading

• instigate in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.
• instigate in The Century Dictionary, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911.

Esperanto

Adverb

instigate

1. present adverbial passive participle of instigi

Latin

Verb

?nst?g?te

1. second-person plural present active imperative of ?nst?g?

English

Etymology

From Middle English scharpenen, scharpnen, equivalent to sharp +? -en.

Pronunciation

• (General American) IPA^(key): /????p?n/
• Rhymes: -??(?)p?n

Verb

sharpen (third-person singular simple present sharpens, present participle sharpening, simple past and past participle sharpened)

1. (transitive, sometimes figuratively) To make sharp.
   • 1790, Edmund Burke, Reflections on the Revolution in France

     He that wrestles with us strengthens our nerves and sharpens our skill.
2. (intransitive) To become sharp.

Synonyms

• hone (figurative sense)
• whet

Antonyms

• blunt
• blur

Derived terms

• sharpener

Translations

Anagrams

• Hapners, pherans