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
Ruff thought the hit was high and also thought McCabe got his gloves off before Tuch, so the instigator was a confusing one.
—
Matthew Fairburn, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2025
The Speaker instead condemned political violence in all its forms, while accusing the left of being the instigator of most political violence in the country.
—Mike Lillis, The Hill, 21 Oct. 2025
The instigator of Game 1’s most talked about play when Brewers center fielder Sal Frelick brought his fly ball back into play, Muncy cleared both the center field fence and Frelick’s glove for a solo home run in the sixth inning.
—Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 16 Oct. 2025
The team found that artificial sweetener Stevia, as well as compounds released by our own gut cells, were the main instigators in activating these gut phages.
—New Atlas, 16 Oct. 2025
But while Josh may be the instigator, none of this would be remotely possible without George.
—Ben Church, CNN Money, 3 Oct. 2025
Jia is critical of this, making references to the 2008 Beijing Olympics as an instigator to rapid growth across the country.
—Zach Dennis, Charlotte Observer, 11 Sep. 2025
Naming an interstate war based on the state in which the war is fought – while omitting the name of outside instigators – implies the culpability of that state.
—Esther Brito Ruiz, The Conversation, 5 Sep. 2025
One of the main instigators, Starboard Value, is back for more.
—Jordan Novet, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2025
Matthew Fairburn, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2025
The Speaker instead condemned political violence in all its forms, while accusing the left of being the instigator of most political violence in the country.
—Mike Lillis, The Hill, 21 Oct. 2025
The instigator of Game 1’s most talked about play when Brewers center fielder Sal Frelick brought his fly ball back into play, Muncy cleared both the center field fence and Frelick’s glove for a solo home run in the sixth inning.
—Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 16 Oct. 2025
The team found that artificial sweetener Stevia, as well as compounds released by our own gut cells, were the main instigators in activating these gut phages.
—New Atlas, 16 Oct. 2025
But while Josh may be the instigator, none of this would be remotely possible without George.
—Ben Church, CNN Money, 3 Oct. 2025
Jia is critical of this, making references to the 2008 Beijing Olympics as an instigator to rapid growth across the country.
—Zach Dennis, Charlotte Observer, 11 Sep. 2025
Naming an interstate war based on the state in which the war is fought – while omitting the name of outside instigators – implies the culpability of that state.
—Esther Brito Ruiz, The Conversation, 5 Sep. 2025
One of the main instigators, Starboard Value, is back for more.
—Jordan Novet, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instigator
Noun
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While proponents of wearable technology in prisons and jails have described it as potentially lifesaving, privacy rights groups and even law enforcement officials say the devices can raise ethical and legal concerns and urge agencies to establish strict rules on data use, retention and consent.—
Kelly Davis,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Nov. 2025
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Newsom and other proponents said the retaliatory ballot measure was a way of fighting fire with fire.—
Mark Z. Barabak,
Mercury News,
8 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Just hearing ‘set piece’ sends a shiver down Liverpool supporters’ spines.—
Andy Jones,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
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The new library would replace Truckee’s existing 50-year-old structure, which supporters say no longer meets the needs of a growing population.—
Daniel Hunt,
Sacbee.com,
8 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
In addition, famed promoter Don King signed her as his first female client in 1993.—
Caroline Blair,
PEOPLE,
8 Nov. 2025
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As a prize fight champion, Olympic gold medalist and now successful boxing promoter, Oscar De La Hoya should be the last person on earth who supports Jake Paul.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The London punk rebels seized the revolutionary spirit of 1977 with their raw manifesto The Clash, then refined their sound with the flawed Give ‘Em Enough Rope.—
Rob Sheffield,
Rolling Stone,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Meanwhile, over in Britain, a vibrant antiwar movement brought on motion after motion in Parliament to cease fire and end all offensive operations against the rebels.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
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But advocates argue the AI has to be compared to the alternative.—
NPR,
NPR,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Public health advocates are also pushing to expand the scope of practice for dental therapists, mid-level providers who can perform fillings and extractions under supervision.—
Sixteen Ramos,
AZCentral.com,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Someone who is unable to work in mainstream punditry because his face no longer fits, but is determined to raise standards among those who do as an outside agitator.—
Greg O'Keeffe,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
-
This is a frequent complaint with today's washers that use less water than older, top-load washers with center agitators.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
8 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
France, in cooperation with the European Space Agency, is testing the V-MaX vehicle, a hypersonic demonstrator that completed its first successful flight in 2024.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
7 Nov. 2025
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To voice his frustrations, Mills, 37, of Chicago, has become a weekly demonstrator at the Broadview ICE facility.—
Nicquel Terry Ellis,
CNN Money,
2 Nov. 2025
Noun
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After becoming an Internet sensation (and an art-world provocateur), the toilet moved to England in 2019, where a trio of thieves snatched it from the birthplace of Winston Churchill in a crime straight out of the board game Clue.—
Nicole Hoey,
Robb Report,
4 Nov. 2025
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Curtis and Kirk were indeed to be found on opposite ends of virtually every hot-button cultural issue on which the latter made his name as a debater and provocateur.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
30 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Instigator.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instigator. Accessed 12 Nov. 2025.
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