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
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Recent Examples of instigators
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
Snowstorms are the most frequent instigators of massive flight delays and cancellations at the area's big airports.
—
Doyle Rice,
USA Today,
10 Dec. 2025
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
Snowstorms are the most frequent instigators of massive flight delays and cancellations at the area's big airports.
—
Doyle Rice,
USA Today,
10 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instigators
Noun
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Many proponents believe that access to affordable models will act as a leveler, allowing smaller enterprises to innovate, test, and gain insights in ways previously that were previously much more challenging.
-
David DaCosta, of the 18-acre Ace*Mission Studios, is among those pushing for what’s known as a Business Improvement District, or BID, in the area that proponents refer to as the Boyle Heights Industrial Flats, which runs adjacent to the river.
Noun
-
The biggest issue is the promoters that, for lack of a better word, don’t really understand what their job is, who are perpetuating the issue by rewarding the young men and women that are going out of their way to do these crazy things – jumping off of balconies, crazy moves every match.
-
The parties with the most ticket sales and highest prices, which can run as high as US$80 or more for an after-party, are often put on by out-of-town promoters.
Noun
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The majority of speakers at Tuesday’s board meeting urged the board not to allow online agitators to dictate personnel decisions.
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In recent years, agitators have fueled anti-immigration street violence following crimes committed by, or falsely reported to have been committed by, immigrants.
Noun
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The supporters started singing a few minutes after the final whistle blew, and the team exchanged hugs on the field.
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In the weeks since, Indian media has reported several student suicides allegedly linked to the immense pressure of the exams, which Dipke and his supporters commemorated this week by lighting candles.
Noun
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That's partly because eastern Congo is also battling ongoing violence from rebels.
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That’s partly because eastern Congo is also battling ongoing violence from rebels.
Noun
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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.
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Alliances with independents and provocateurs can bring younger crowds to the traditional news fold in an era when such viewership is not guaranteed.
Noun
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While Lander has been skeptical of the cryptocurrency industry, Goldman has been supported by crypto advocates.
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Tania Galloni, an attorney with Earthjustice, said advocates have received mixed signals from state officials regarding the future of the facility.
Noun
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Ocasio-Cortez, who may be eyeing a House leadership role or Senate bid, has stayed out of key New York City-area House races, unlike Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Sanders, who are backing insurgents trying to oust incumbents.
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Two very different—and very close—insurgents Warshaw’s path to this race runs through the places where New York’s biggest problems actually live.
Cite this Entry
“Instigators.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instigators. Accessed 27 Jun. 2026.
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