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 While a number of staff helped with the new center, former Superintendent Theresa Hill, now in that role at Homewood-Flossmoor Community School District 233, was the instigator. — Janice Neumann, Chicago Tribune, 29 Oct. 2026 Colorado then played almost 17 minutes with 10 forwards when Fedor Svechkov drew a two-minute instigator penalty, five minutes for fighting and 10 more for misconduct. — ABC News, 13 Oct. 2026 Maggie’s actually the one who was the instigator, unlocking Lizzie’s birdcage. — Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 23 Sep. 2026 Kanarek told me that Gray’s antagonism, at the meeting and at other times, positions her as the ultimate instigator of the shooting. — Ian Parker, New Yorker, 14 Sep. 2026 There is a lot of individual goofery in this episode, but Vic’s usually the instigator. — Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 8 Sep. 2026 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for instigator

Noun

For this reason, proponents tout fuel cells as an effective way to cut emissions while still providing essential power to homes, businesses, factories and, increasingly, data centers.

— John Moritz, Hartford Courant, 10 Nov. 2026
Aronofsky, who has been a big proponent of using generative AI in filmmaking after launching his creative studio Primordial Soup last year, was honored with Camerimage’s honorary Award for Director.

— Diana Lodderhose, Deadline, 7 Nov. 2026

Definition of proponent

Noun

Friends offer support Outside the courtroom immediately following the hearing, Masias’ supporters were upbeat.

— Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 14 Nov. 2026
But supporters had already released their own studies emphasizing that the incentives will bring back much more in economic activity to states.

— Ted Johnson, Deadline, 13 Nov. 2026

Definition of supporter

Noun

Sheeran argued that the decision to remove Macklemore as an opener, backed by the venues and promoters, came down to not wanting to disappoint fans or impact the other people working on the tour by cancelling.

— Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 6 Nov. 2026
Bryson DeChambeau, perhaps the most ardent promoter of LIV among current major championship contenders, faces an uncertain future after the dissolution of the league.

— Dade Hayes, Deadline, 5 Nov. 2026

Definition of promoter

Noun

The rebel group, in turn, continues to target Saudi infrastructure, including the King Khalid International Airport in the capital Riyadh, and oil facilities.

— Clarissa Ward, CNN Money, 12 Nov. 2026
The District 13 rebels and the Capitol engage in a series of attacks, counterattacks, and clandestine missions.

— Sophia Zhang, Encyclopedia Britannica, 12 Nov. 2026

Definition of rebel

Noun

Community leaders and advocates called for an end to gun violence, bullying and for Frimpong's killers to come forward.

— CBS News, CBS News, 8 Nov. 2026
Cannabis advocates generally support things like age restrictions and measures to keep the products away from children, but have pushed back against rules in Texas that effectively ban a wide variety of products for adult use.

— Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Nov. 2026

Definition of advocate

Noun

Tusk and his government have characterized their conservative opposition as buoyed by foreign agitators, particularly Russian interference.

— Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 4 Nov. 2026
Coolly, Violet responds that to avoid alarming the public, a few agitators have beenneutralized—now there’s a sticky euphemism—and their deaths passed off as revenge killings among drug traffickers.

— J. B. MacKinnon, Harpers Magazine, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of agitator

Noun

There is also something faintly touching about watching two professional provocateurs congratulate each other on their courage.

— Anna Rahmanan, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Nov. 2026
Unsurprisingly given Greaves’ role as a provocateur, Dead Deities is a political project as much as an artistic one.

— Sadie Sartini Garner, Pitchfork, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of provocateur

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instigative

instigator

instigators

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“Instigator.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instigator. Accessed 15 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of instigator

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