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
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Recent Examples of instigators
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
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
And the main instigators are men.
—Kamala Thiagarajan, NPR, 31 Aug. 2025
But that would do more harm, Nicole Lee said, disproportionately affecting young people of color and wrongfully assuming that youths are the main instigators of violence.
—Terry Tang, Denver Post, 17 Aug. 2025
Guinan said Merriweather and Jermaine Matthews were both the instigators of the fight.
—Cameron Knight, The Enquirer, 15 Aug. 2025
New Atlas, 16 Oct. 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
And the main instigators are men.
—Kamala Thiagarajan, NPR, 31 Aug. 2025
But that would do more harm, Nicole Lee said, disproportionately affecting young people of color and wrongfully assuming that youths are the main instigators of violence.
—Terry Tang, Denver Post, 17 Aug. 2025
Guinan said Merriweather and Jermaine Matthews were both the instigators of the fight.
—Cameron Knight, The Enquirer, 15 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instigators
Noun
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And although the state Legislature has allocated funds for water assistance in the past, proponents for the new package say creating a long-term, permanent fund will provide Michigan households and communities with a sustainable way to ensure the tap stays on and water bills are paid.—
Arpan Lobo,
Freep.com,
29 Oct. 2025
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This was a momentous development for child-care proponents such as myself, who have long argued that wide-reaching free programs are crucial for parents and for a healthy democracy.—
Elliot Haspel,
The Atlantic,
28 Oct. 2025
Noun
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In the article, Roufus criticized promoters who were focused on profits and lacked the experience to safely sponsor fights.—
Cleo Krejci,
jsonline.com,
18 Oct. 2025
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As promoters hit him up to bring Experts Only from Los Angeles to Japan, the final goal of his new empire is to throw parties without even playing at them.—
Jessica Coacci,
Fortune,
18 Oct. 2025
Noun
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And while some have crossed the line from peaceful protesters to violent agitators, violence already has ample legal remedies under state and federal law.—
Jason M. Blazakis,
Mercury News,
18 Oct. 2025
-
The Boston Police Department said that agitators directly assaulted officers during the riot.—
Adam Sabes,
FOXNews.com,
11 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Each post, often featuring updates about Ginger the tiger, draws thousands of likes and comments from supporters.—
Quinn Clark,
jsonline.com,
27 Oct. 2025
-
Trump met Milei at the White House two weeks ago, and the Argentine has emerged as one of the US leader’s most ardent supporters abroad.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
27 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Sudan’s army chief, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, who is also the de facto head of state, acknowledged the rebels’ capture of El Fasher.—
Nimi Princewill,
CNN Money,
28 Oct. 2025
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The Romans were masters at using rewards and punishment to manage foreign states, from grants of citizenship to massacres of rebels.—
Barry Strauss,
Time,
21 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Dynevor, meanwhile, finds texture in a villainous role that rightly reminds us how petty personal grievances (on campus, no less) may well be the driving force behind the most outspoken political provocateurs.—
Manuel Betancourt,
Variety,
29 Oct. 2025
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By focusing so much on the Jewish people and the Jewish state, these provocateurs have a much broader goal in mind than merely ostracizing America's small Jewish minority.—
Josh Hammer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Influenced by the progressive Methodist faith in which he was raised, Maunder was one of his profession’s most outspoken advocates for women’s participation in science.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Oct. 2025
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Mental health advocates said the encounters before Zettel’s death show multiple points of possible intervention in the days and hours before she was killed.—
Hope Karnopp,
jsonline.com,
27 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The best challenger brands think like cultural insurgents.—
Erik Huberman,
Rolling Stone,
10 Oct. 2025
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Islamist insurgents have since May attacked Malian and foreign-owned businesses, including cement factories, sugar factories, and mines.—
Preeti Jha,
semafor.com,
10 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Instigators.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instigators. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
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