怂恿 sǒngyǒng to instigate
to instigate; to incite; to urge; to encourage
How to remember 怂恿: 怂 to arouse + 恿 to instigate = to instigate.
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How it is used
- To egg on or incite someone into doing something - 他怂恿我辞职 (tā sǒngyǒng wǒ cízhí) he egged me into quitting.
- Carries a negative slant: pushing someone toward a rash or bad act, unlike neutral 鼓励 (encourage).
- Written-leaning; often 怂恿 + person + to do; near 唆使 (instigate).