INSTIGATORS Synonyms: 47 Similar and Opposite Words

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

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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 instigators 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 The instigators were allowed to go beyond peaceful protests to hindering law enforcement from doing their job which escalated with the result of two people tragically losing their lives. — Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 1 Feb. 2026 Federal officials and the president himself were swift to label those killed as instigators. — Dominik Dausch, Sioux Falls Argus Leader, 28 Jan. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for instigators

Noun

Some proponents of the tax had criticized the bill as a compromise measure that leaves the difficult political decision of whether to enact a tax for the next governor and Legislature.

— Naomi Taxay, Sacbee.com, 10 July 2026
Their proponents argued that taking action on immigration was popular in the state, though all but one of their bills failed.

— Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 10 July 2026

Definition of proponents

Noun

Veteran rave promoters envision Origin as a 1,000-capacity, Blade Runner–style warehouse with modular patio stages, offering daytime community events that transition into intimate Afro-house and hard-rave nights.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026
Gálvez promoters also want all Americans to see his army as a symbol of the promise of our multiracial democracy.

— Geraldo L. Cadava, The Atlantic, 3 July 2026

Definition of promoters

Noun

Videos showed police beating back agitators with batons and deploying anti-riot ordnance as the demonstrators chanted against the country's conservative Alternative for Germany (AfD) party in a massive political rally.

— Robert McGreevy, FOXNews.com, 4 July 2026
White attributed most of the hateful comments to online agitators rather than true WNBA or Indiana Fever fans.

— Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026

Definition of agitators

Noun

Global organizations navigate a complex landscape, prompting boards to evolve beyond traditional oversight into strategic provocateurs.

— Anna Marks, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
Just a funny parasocial back-and-forth between some of the most passionate fans in sports and one of the best provocateurs the SEC has seen since Steve Spurrier.

— Austin Perry OutKick, FOXNews.com, 1 May 2026

Definition of provocateurs

Noun

Local advocates are pushing prefab even further, pitching off‑grid cottage villages powered by solar and advanced water recycling — an affordable, sustainable vision that may test Altadena’s appetite for denser housing.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
Ferguson and Yaeckel are climate advocates with the San Diego chapters of the Citizens Climate Lobby.

— James Ferguson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 July 2026

Definition of advocates

Noun

The establishment’s theory of the case has always been that popular insurgents are too risky, too unpolished, too outside the lane.

— Tad Devine, Fortune, 7 July 2026
Fujimori, 51, is the daughter of late President Alberto Fujimori, who governed the country with an iron fist from 1990 to 2000 and was credited with defeating Maoist insurgents and taming runaway hyperinflation.

— Reuters, NBC news, 4 July 2026

Definition of insurgents

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instigators

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“Instigators.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instigators. Accessed 11 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of instigators

noun

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