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instigator

instigator

12 6.8
A person who starts trouble or urges others to act
  • noun
  • /ˈɪnstɪˌɡeɪtər/
translation icon : instigador
  • She was known as the instigator of many heated debates in the classroom.

I'm not saying he was the instigator of the Holocaust, but he did.

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Examples

  • When the other side is more patient than you are and the instigators are putting the heat on you, then they can lay back.

  • The difference is in the street there is no referee and there is an instigator and there is the other person.

  • I remember thinking, "Why does she get to go back to class when she is the instigator of this fight?"

    Academic text (2013)
  • And then in China and in North Korea, Do you see North Korea being a potential instigator of a nuclear war?

  • For Jews, the real instigator of new reflection on the topic is the Holocaust.

    Academic text (1992)
  • And that means that whomever is viewed as the instigator of this public call for accountability is the enemy.

  • We'll not be the instigators of full-scale war on the eve of universal peace.

  • Consider this account of the experience of one of the instigators of the Stonewall riot:

    Blog text (16)
  • Indeed, the arts have often been the targets rather than the instigators of methodological borrowing by other disciplines.

    Academic text (2000)
  • Although progressive reformers participated in the planning of the celebration, this time the instigators were ethnic Americans.

    Academic text (2000)

Synonyms

troublemaker
vsinstigator
  • Offensive
69 4.1

A person who causes problems for other people on purpose

emphasizes initiating or provoking actions instead of just causing problems
agitator
vsinstigator
16 6.5

A person who stirs up strong public feelings for political change

is not limited to public campaigns and can start private conflict
provocateur
vsinstigator
14 8.8

A person who on purpose causes trouble or makes others do wrong

is broader, meaning starting trouble or actions without that manipulative aim
initiator
vsinstigator
10 5.5

A person who starts a plan or action

specifically involves starting or provoking trouble or conflict
firebrand
vsinstigator
  • Formal
10 7.9

A person who tries to make others protest or cause trouble

is similar but applies to any trouble or action, not just unrest
disruptor
vsinstigator
2 6.5

A person who interrupts a meeting or event and causes disorder

is focused on starting trouble or provoking others rather than just interruption
mischief-maker
vsinstigator
2 6.0

A person who causes small trouble by playing tricks or starting gossip

is more serious and can provoke real conflict rather than playful mischief
inciter
vsinstigator
  • NSFW
1 8.4

A person who encourages others to do wrong or cause trouble

focuses more broadly on starting or provoking actions not only crimes
provoker
vsinstigator
1 7.5

A person who starts trouble on purpose to make others react

is more general about starting trouble rather than provoking reactions
stirrer
vsinstigator
  • Offensive
1 7.3

A person who spreads gossip to start arguments

is more general about starting trouble rather than using rumours specifically
fire-eater
vsinstigator
  • Offensive
1 8.8

A person who speaks angrily and likes to start political arguments

starts or provokes trouble more generally rather than being combative only
instigant
vsinstigator
9.9

A person who on purpose makes others start trouble or fight

has the same meaning but uses a different word form
fomenter
vsinstigator
  • Formal
9.8

A person who causes political trouble by encouraging others to act against the government

covers starting trouble in any area, not only political situations
inflamer
vsinstigator
8.9

A person who says things that make people angry or start fights

focuses more on beginning trouble generally rather than inflaming emotion
fanner
vsinstigator
7.4

A person who causes anger or arguments between people

is broader, meaning the person starts or provokes events not only feelings
troubler
vsinstigator
7.4

A person who causes problems by starting arguments or fights

focuses more on starting or provoking specific actions or conflicts
drama monger
vsinstigator
  • Offensive
8.9

A person who makes small problems into big arguments

is broader, including provoking actions beyond social drama
initiant
vsinstigator
  • Archaic
9.9

A person who starts a project or action

carries a negative sense of provoking trouble or conflict rather than neutral starting

Antonyms

45 4.0

A person who helps two people or groups reach an agreement without taking sides

23 3.7

A person who helps end arguments and makes people agree

How Inciting

firebrand
  • Formal
10 7.9
rabble-rouser
  • Literature
6 8.5
agitator
16 6.5
instigator
12 6.8
troublemaker
  • Offensive
69 4.1

Surface Forms

instigator singular
instigators plural

Morphology

instigator = instigate (transparent) = instigate + or

An obvious agent noun formed from the verb 'instigate' with the productive suffix '-or'; the meaning 'person who starts or provokes' follows directly.

Etymology

Instigator comes from the Latin parts in- 'into' and stigare 'to prick' or 'to urge'. So imagine someone who 'pricks' or pushes others into action — that's why an instigator is a person who starts or provokes trouble or an event.