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
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
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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Biden had selected Colorado Springs in 2023 as the permanent home for Space Command, a location proponents had said was best for military readiness.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
3 Sep. 2025
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But proponents of the Sensitivity Era want to keep others from joining that conversation.—
Kevin Dickinson,
Big Think,
2 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The Geiers are widely viewed with contempt as promoters of unsubstantiated claims that vaccines cause autism.—
Judy Stone,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
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Lyte goes out of business Multiple sources reported that Lyte went out of business, shut down its website, laid off staff and left a number of concert promoters unpaid for hundreds of thousands of dollars in tickets sold on the platform in 2024.—
Marcus Smith,
Sacbee.com,
16 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The Sweet family defended themselves by firing shots and killing one of the agitators, which led to a murder trial.—
Dana Afana,
Freep.com,
14 Aug. 2025
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Pastor John Hagee, the influential Founder and Chairman of Christians United for Israel (CUFI), said fringe online agitators and politicians are motivated by two distinct impulses in their attacks on Israel.—
Amelie Botbol,
FOXNews.com,
10 Aug. 2025
Noun
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After making a joke about the height of the microphone, Grande reiterated her appreciation for her supporters.—
Taylor Ardrey,
USA Today,
8 Sep. 2025
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And parents are enthusiastic supporters.—
Jemma Stephenson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 Sep. 2025
Noun
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By 2018, Assad had control of Damascus and Aleppo, and the rebels were confined to a jihadist ministate in Idlib.—
Graeme Wood,
The Atlantic,
2 Sep. 2025
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Yemen’s Houthi rebels on Saturday vowed to take revenge for the killing of their prime minister and other political leaders by Israeli airstrikes earlier this week.—
Eyad Kourdi,
CNN Money,
30 Aug. 2025
Noun
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So instead of making these obvious points to union provocateurs such as Davis Gates, our political leaders treat her with kid gloves.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Garcia’s signing was met with total consensus across the club, and Flick was one of the biggest advocates for Rashford’s move to Barca.—
James McNicholas,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
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Tools to postpone payments can be ‘critical’ Deferments and forbearances can help student loan borrowers avoid the harsh consequences of falling behind on their bills, consumer advocates said.—
Annie Nova,
CNBC,
7 Sep. 2025
Noun
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This might enable a mission which, for example, a Viper is located covertly next to a safe house known to be used by insurgents.—
David Hambling,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
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The state Republicans have routinely witnessed battles between far-right insurgents who in recent years have complained the party isn’t Trumpy enough and the financial institutional wing that has long been the GOP establishment and funded the party for decades.—
Rick Pearson,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Instigators.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instigators. Accessed 8 Sep. 2025.
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