# inspiration vs instigation

> English confusable word pair

## The two words

### inspiration
*noun · IPA /ˌɪn.spɪˈɹeɪ.ʃən/ · frequency rank #3,564*
The drawing of air into the lungs, accomplished in mammals by elevation of the chest walls and flattening of the diaphragm, as part of the act of breathing.

### instigation
*noun · IPA /ˌɪnstɪˈɡeɪʃən/ · frequency rank #44,272*
The act of instigating, or the state of being instigated; incitement; especially to evil or wickedness.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/vs/inspiration-vs-instigation