as in proponent
a person who stirs up public feelings especially of discontent
an instigator who always managed to be innocently standing by once the fighting began
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Recent Examples of instigator
Hawkins joked that Heckel is usually the instigator of any trash talk between them, but there hasn’t been much jawing ahead of Monday’s second-round NCAA Tournament game.
—
Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 22 Mar. 2026
In 2001, the United States and its allies stormed into Afghanistan, aiming to destroy the Taliban and round up the instigators of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
—Nolan Finley, Twin Cities, 6 Mar. 2026
An instigator all night long for the Chargers, the 5-foot-3 Dutkanych finally took in the scene around her before reaching up to softly rub a growing lump on her forehead, reddened by the ice.
—Rick Armstrong, Chicago Tribune, 25 Feb. 2026
Officers later reviewed security camera footage and identified Murff as the instigator of the altercation.
—Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 19 Feb. 2026
While some see Nelly as an empathetic and motherly caretaker, others view her as a manipulative, calculating instigator who shapes the narrative to justify her own actions.
—Megan McCluskey, Time, 13 Feb. 2026
Little has been accomplished, and Labour’s woes seem likely to benefit the Reform Party, a new nationalist, populist outfit led by the Brexit instigator Nigel Farage.
—Idrees Kahloon, The Atlantic, 8 Feb. 2026
The instigators were allowed to go beyond peaceful protests to hindering law enforcement from doing their job which escalated with the result of two people tragically losing their lives.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 1 Feb. 2026
Federal officials and the president himself were swift to label those killed as instigators.
—Dominik Dausch, Sioux Falls Argus Leader, 28 Jan. 2026
Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 22 Mar. 2026
In 2001, the United States and its allies stormed into Afghanistan, aiming to destroy the Taliban and round up the instigators of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
—Nolan Finley, Twin Cities, 6 Mar. 2026
An instigator all night long for the Chargers, the 5-foot-3 Dutkanych finally took in the scene around her before reaching up to softly rub a growing lump on her forehead, reddened by the ice.
—Rick Armstrong, Chicago Tribune, 25 Feb. 2026
Officers later reviewed security camera footage and identified Murff as the instigator of the altercation.
—Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 19 Feb. 2026
While some see Nelly as an empathetic and motherly caretaker, others view her as a manipulative, calculating instigator who shapes the narrative to justify her own actions.
—Megan McCluskey, Time, 13 Feb. 2026
Little has been accomplished, and Labour’s woes seem likely to benefit the Reform Party, a new nationalist, populist outfit led by the Brexit instigator Nigel Farage.
—Idrees Kahloon, The Atlantic, 8 Feb. 2026
The instigators were allowed to go beyond peaceful protests to hindering law enforcement from doing their job which escalated with the result of two people tragically losing their lives.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 1 Feb. 2026
Federal officials and the president himself were swift to label those killed as instigators.
—Dominik Dausch, Sioux Falls Argus Leader, 28 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instigator
Noun
-
While proponents say changes have made streets safer, critics suspect projects that reduce space for cars will only make traffic congestion worse — even after the construction disruptions end.—
Bruce Finley,
Denver Post,
29 Mar. 2026
-
But the firm’s been arguably the leading proponent in America for making owners of the rank-in-file.—
Shawn Tully,
Fortune,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Both Turkish fans described a warm welcome from Kosovo supporters in the capital city.—
Greg O'Keeffe,
New York Times,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Our financial supporters are not involved in any decisions about our journalism.—
Annalisa Merelli,
STAT,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
As live performances became a more important source of revenue for artists and promoters, these factors contributed to a sustained rise in ticket costs, widening the gap between general consumer prices and the cost of attending major concerts.—
byDoug Ashburn,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
2 Apr. 2026
-
And so, Mitski’s team left it to concert promoter Goldenvoice to coordinate, getting in touch with Hollywood High School principal Samual Dovlatian.—
Ethan Millman,
HollywoodReporter,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Following the events of A Palace Near the Wind, Liu Lufeng and her siblings flee the Palace for the dangerous waters, which contain rebels, allies, and her sister Sangshu—though Sangshu’s conflicting loyalties may clash with Lufeng’s plan to keep them all safe.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
1 Apr. 2026
-
An Iranian missile struck a fuel-oil tanker in Qatari waters Wednesday morning, while Houthi rebels launched a third barrage of missiles toward Israel.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
As the work stoppage dragged on, bar advocates and state legislators continued to point fingers at one another.—
Flint McColgan,
Boston Herald,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Health advocates and community leaders came together to create the group in response the county experiencing a nearly $50 million decrease in funding for services and its health workforce.—
City News Service,
Daily News,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Columbia students, along with outside agitators, broke into an academic building and temporarily detained the janitors inside.—
Rose Horowitch,
The Atlantic,
25 Mar. 2026
-
But other than Bedard and MacKenzie Weegar getting into it a couple of times, Mangiapane was the only real agitator the Blackhawks had.—
Mark Lazerus,
New York Times,
14 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Back at Mill Creek Park, amid a crowd of protesters taking a breather after the march, one demonstrator flies a kite.—
Jenna Ebbers,
Kansas City Star,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Ginny, an 81-year-old demonstrator who started protesting over 50 years ago during the anti-Vietnam War movement, echoed Yohanna’s sentiment.—
Zoe Sottile,
CNN Money,
28 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
And, of course, radio jokester and provocateur Stern.—
Emily St. Martin,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Mar. 2026
-
The growth has elevated her from partisan provocateur to one of the most influential — and polarizing — voices on the right.—
Kevin Dolak,
HollywoodReporter,
18 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Instigator.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instigator. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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