INSTIGATOR Synonyms: 47 Similar and Opposite Words

instigator

noun

Definition of instigator

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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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of instigator Said another way, Meta’s social media are an instigator of the community and living that are enemies of depression and mental instability. — John Tamny, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026 The use of simplified Chinese, used in China, found in internal documents linked to the hack suggests a high probability that the instigator, whether public or private, is linked to China, experts said. — John Liu, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026 Luis Suarez was one of the instigators, spit on a Sounders official, and was punished with six-game Leagues Cup suspension, which means the Uruguayan forward is banned from the entire 2026 tournament. — Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 6 Aug. 2026 It was said in jest, yet the sport’s most audacious instigators might take him up on it. — Stephen J. Nesbitt, New York Times, 23 July 2026 Greek director-screenwriter-producer Tsangari is considered a principal instigator of the Greek New Wave. — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 22 July 2026 Heat coach Erik Spoelstra at the time downplayed the confrontation, with the Heat routinely making peace after acquiring former Heat instigators. — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 28 June 2026 The parents, arguably the film’s first instigators, operate based off fear of their children’s sexuality. — Arushi Jacob, Variety, 19 June 2026 The Aussies aren’t the sole instigators, according to them. — Sean Gregory, Time, 18 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for instigator

Noun

Termini could not provide an explanation as to why proponents opted to revive an unrelated, inactive bill.

— Jennifer Van Grove, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Aug. 2026
The roadless rule hasn’t prevented wildfire mitigation work, its proponents also say.

— Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of proponent

Noun

The government said Khan’s supporters had begun gathering outside the private hospital in violation of the court order, which required them to stay away from the medical facility to avoid inconveniencing other patients.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Aug. 2026
Fabares was a longtime supporter of the Alzheimer’s Association, after her mother was diagnosed with the disease in the early 1990s.

— Jack Dunn, Variety, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of supporter

Noun

In a statement at the time, Domenicali said that F1 respected the promoter’s choice to end its run in 2026.

— Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 22 Aug. 2026
The lawsuit was filed Tuesday by Hyde Lane, the corporate entity for Demon Hunter, against Netflix, Netflix Studios and concert promoter AEG Presents.

— Martin Goillandeau, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of promoter

Noun

The deal came as Washington increased pressure on neighboring Rwanda over its support for M23 rebels, a dynamic analysts say may help explain Congo’s willingness to cooperate.

— Mark Banchereau, Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 2026
The fun way to approach this premise would be to focus on the rebels.

— Alexandra Schwartz, New Yorker, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of rebel

Noun

Child safety advocates and some parents have welcomed age restrictions, while privacy groups say the rules can be cheated and that forcing users to supply identification raises privacy concerns.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Aug. 2026
Disability rights advocates fear the changes to special education oversight weaken the federal safety net for autistic students and others with disabilities, making these systems more confusing when families need help enforcing students' rights.

— Claire Sibonney, CBS News, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of advocate

Noun

James Fishback, a right-wing agitator who captured the imagination of Gen Z voters by throwing about racist and antisemitic comments, came in third with just over 10% of the vote.

— Jeffrey Schweers, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 Aug. 2026
Tibbetts wants fans to blame outside agitators for ruining the league's momentum.

— Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of agitator

Noun

That facility will serve as a one-megawatt commercial demonstrator and provide longer-duration reliability testing.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 20 Aug. 2026
The test flight of Heart Aerospace’s X1 demonstrator aircraft took place at Plattsburgh International Airport in upstate New York on August 12.

— Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of demonstrator

Noun

Who might emerge as the provocateur of the Premier League touchline and who might cast dark aspersions in press conferences?

— Adam Crafton, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026
Donalds defeated several primary challengers, including far-right online provocateur James Fishback.

— Caroline Linton, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of provocateur

Browse Nearby Words

instigative

instigator

instigators

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“Instigator.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instigator. Accessed 26 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of instigator

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