instigators

noun

plural of instigator
as in proponents
a person who stirs up public feelings especially of discontent an instigator who always managed to be innocently standing by once the fighting began

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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 instigators 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 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 There are leaders, lurkers, peacekeepers, instigators, and the person who only surfaces to drop an occasional thumbs-up. — Sam Reed, Glamour, 18 May 2026 All of that would be intriguing even if the founders of Deep Voodoo weren’t South Park instigators Trey Parker and Matt Stone. — Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 31 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instigators
  1. proponents
  2. promoters
  3. agitators
  4. supporters
  5. rebels
  6. provocateurs
  7. advocates
  8. insurgents
Noun
  • The measure works largely by imposing deadlines on state agencies and courts to issue decisions on those projects, proponents say.
    — Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 30 Sep. 2026
  • The president has reworked Russia’s economy and political system around the conflict, channeling investment into weapons factories and making loud proponents of the war central figures in the country’s government.
    — Dmytro Kuleba, Foreign Affairs, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of proponents
Noun
  • All shows for the Calvin Harris – Australia Tour 2027 have sold out, say reps promoters Untitled Group, Full Circle, and Live Nation, which are jointly producing the trek.
    — Lars Brandle, Billboard, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Kraft's move triggered a wave of venue rejections, forcing tour promoters to drop Macklemore entirely.
    — Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of promoters
Noun
  • The incident came as agitators against immigration adopt a confrontational new tactic of trying to stop the boats landing on England’s shores, clashing with police and rescue workers in the process.
    — Jill Lawless, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2026
  • Among the agitators were the workers at Sytin’s Moscow publishing house.
    — James Folta, Literary Hub, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of agitators
Noun
  • Hundreds of supporters had gathered outside the building overnight to protest her eviction, with dozens of police officers holding them back as some tried to stop the eviction from going ahead.
    — Jamie Gray, NBC news, 26 Sep. 2026
  • But the choice was criticized by supporters of France’s strict form of secularism in public life based on a 1905 law separating church and state.
    — Nicole Winfield, Los Angeles Times, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of supporters
Noun
  • Today, the challenges facing the continent include a humanitarian crisis in South Sudan, a spate of kidnappings and killings in Nigeria, and conflict between rebels and government forces in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
    — Goodluck Ajeh, Christian Science Monitor, 25 Sep. 2026
  • The charges stemmed from fighting more than a decade ago between the predominantly Muslim Seleka rebels who seized power from then-President François Bozizé, and a mainly Christian militia called the anti-Balaka.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of rebels
Noun
  • The faux outrage was egged on by professional right-wing provocateurs like Robby Starbuck, Benny Johnson and a leading investor in MAGA darling Steak n’ Shake.
    — Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Global organizations navigate a complex landscape, prompting boards to evolve beyond traditional oversight into strategic provocateurs.
    — Anna Marks, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
Definition of provocateurs
Noun
  • Female athlete advocates warn that allowing biological males into women's divisions steals roster spots, playing time, and leadership roles from actual women.
    — Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 29 Sep. 2026
  • The company has also introduced The Kiosk, a grassroots audience activation platform that empowers moviegoers to serve as advocates within their communities, helping studios generate word-of-mouth awareness and attendance.
    — Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of advocates
Noun
  • International sanctions persisted, and PF’s ZANLA and ZIPRA insurgents continued their liberation war.
    — Chinatsu Tsuji, Encyclopedia Britannica, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Rancho libertarians, like their Scotch-Irish cousins from another mother, are forever skeptical of government, respect insurgents who want to take on the establishment, love their people and subscribe to a bootstraps approach to life.
    — Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of insurgents

Browse Nearby Words

instigator
instigators
instill
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Cite this Entry

“Instigators.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instigators. Accessed 4 Oct. 2026.

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