そそのかす・唆す・嗾すsosonokasu[4]nakadaka (mid-high)

Common
Definitions
  1. godan verb, transitive verbto instigate; to tempt; to entice; to incite
    イブを唆そそのかしたのは蛇へびだ。↗
    It is the snake that tempts Eve.
Conjugation
Dictionary formそそのかす
Polite (masu)そそのかします
Negative (nai)そそのかさない
polite (masen)そそのかしません
classical zu / nuそそのかさず・そそのかさぬ
Past (ta)そそのかした
polite (mashita)そそのかしました
Past negative (nakatta)そそのかさなかった
polite (masen deshita)そそのかしませんでした
Te formそそのかして
Potentialそそのかせる
Passiveそそのかされる
Causativeそそのかさせる
Causative passiveそそのかさせられる
Conditional (ba)そそのかせば
taraそそのかしたら
Volitionalそそのかそう
polite (mashou)そそのかしましょう
Imperativeそそのかせ

Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.

Synonyms & antonyms
  • Synonym教唆きょうさWrittenWritten term for instigating someone to do something; in law it specifically means incitement to crime, as in 「殺人教唆」. 「唆す」 is a general, more colloquial verb.
  • Synonym扇動せんどうNeutralIncites others to act, usually crowds, as in 「暴動を扇動する」, though it can target an individual; more formal than 「唆す」.
  • Synonym誘惑ゆうわくNeutralA noun for temptation itself, as in 「誘惑に負ける」.
  • Synonym仕向けるしむけるNeutralLeads or induces someone to act; neutral, and not necessarily toward something bad.
  • Synonym使嗾しそうWrittenWritten word for instigating, very rare and stiff in tone; in everyday speech use 「唆す」 or 「けしかける」.
  • SynonymけしかけるNeutralIncites or stirs up conflict, and also means setting a dog on someone, as in 「犬をけしかける」.
  • Related煽るあおるNeutralStirs up or fans emotions, as in 「不安を煽る」; the emphasis is on arousing a feeling rather than urging an act.
  • Related誘うさそうNeutralMeans to invite, and by extension to tempt or lure; neutral, and not necessarily toward something bad.
  • Related誘引ゆういんWrittenWritten word for luring or attracting, e.g. drawing in customers or insects; not necessarily something bad.
  • Related口説くくどくNeutralPersuading or wooing someone, with the stress on earnest pleading and coaxing; not necessarily into doing something bad.
  • Related丸め込むまるめこむNeutralCoaxes with sweet talk; the point is winning someone over so they go along with you.
  • RelatedおだてるNeutralFlatters and eggs on, as in 「おだてて木に登らせる」.
  • Related焚きつけるたきつけるNeutralEggs someone on or stirs them up; originally means to light a fire, and stresses encouraging from the sidelines.
  • Related引き摺り込むひきずりこむNeutralDrags someone in by force, as in 「悪の道に引きずり込む」.
  • Related急き立てるせきたてるNeutralUrges someone to hurry up; the stress is on pressing for speed, with no sense of instigating wrongdoing.
  • Related突き動かすつきうごかすNeutralDescribes being driven by emotion or impulse, as in 「衝動に突き動かされる」.
  • Related誘いかけるさそいかけるNeutralActively invites or tempts, stressing the spoken invitation; carries less malice than 「唆す」.
  • Related誘い込むさそいこむNeutralLures someone into a place or trap, as in 「罠に誘い込む」; the stress is on drawing them in.
  • Antonym止めるとめるNeutralStops or prevents someone from doing something — the opposite of 「唆す」, which urges them on.
  • Antonym諌めるいさめるNeutralWritten word for remonstrating or admonishing someone — the opposite of instigating wrongdoing.

Use 「唆す」 for egging someone into wrongdoing, as in 「悪事を唆す」. Use 「けしかける」 for stirring up conflict, 「煽る」 for fanning emotions, and 「教唆」 for the legal term for incitement. 「誘う」 and 「仕向ける」 are neutral and not necessarily bad; 「止める」 and 「諌める」 are the opposites, stopping or dissuading someone.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

Japanese definitions
  1. その気きになるようにさせる。
  2. おだてて悪わるい方ほうへ行いかせる。
  3. 早はやくするように勧すすめる。
English equivalents
See also

Say it right, write it right

Core lookup works fully offline, with cloud pronunciation and one-tap save & review. Free, no sign-up.

Free downloadWindowsFree downloadmacOSDownload on the App StoreGet it on Google Play
MobileiOS / Android

Android

QR code for the Google Play pageGet it on Google Play

Scan it with your Android phone to install, or search for “Tomoshi” on Google Play.

iOS

QR code for the App Store pageDownload on the App Store

Scan it with your iPhone camera to install, or search for “Tomoshi” in the App Store.

Install the browser extensionLook words up on any web page · Chrome / Edge / Safari

Screenshot of a Tomoshi lookup resultScreenshot of Tomoshi lookup results on a phone

Windows macOS Chrome / Edge / Safari extension iOS / Android