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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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

Noun

Artificial intelligence stocks came under pressure overnight as Democrats — seen as proponents of data center moratoriums — won big in midterm elections in key data center hubs.

— Spencer Kimball,Garrett Downs,Dan Mangan,Kevin Breuninger,Justin Papp, CNBC, 4 Nov. 2026
In the run-up to the midterm election Tuesday, proponents said the property tax amendment would help people stay in their homes and would ease the burden on homeowners.

— Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of proponents

Noun

The live-music ecosystem is largely controlled by a small number of powerful promoters, namely Live Nation and AEG.

— Maribeth Romslo, Rolling Stone, 1 Nov. 2026
This wasn’t an unusual sight for the South Pasadena concert hall from bookers and promoters Sid the Cat.

— Mikey O'Connell, HollywoodReporter, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of promoters

Noun

Coolly, Violet responds that to avoid alarming the public, a few agitators have beenneutralized—now there’s a sticky euphemism—and their deaths passed off as revenge killings among drug traffickers.

— J. B. MacKinnon, Harpers Magazine, 27 Oct. 2026
Scores of pages of planning documents and social media posts analyzed by Fox News Digital reveal that agitators have laid the groundwork for a coordinated campaign with money, logistics and a communications infrastructure behind their efforts.

— Asra Q. Nomani, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of agitators

Noun

One section of bleachers directly behind the lectern and in the eye of the cameras was filled with supporters who looked young enough to be Florida Gulf Coast undergrads.

— Christopher Spata, Miami Herald, 24 Oct. 2026
On Saturday, both are expected to take tens of thousands of supporters to the streets of Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo in their last effort before the runoff.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of supporters

Noun

The most recent, Vietnam, was won by the communist rebels, and that country is stable today.

— Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 27 Oct. 2026
In December 2024, Syrian rebels streamed into Damascus in a surprise attack that toppled President Bashar al-Assad and put an end to more than 13 bloody years of civil war.

— Emily Feng, Washington Post, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of rebels

Noun

Feigenbaum offered a more cautious interpretation, describing some of the violent perpetrators as fringe provocateurs who exploit broader demonstrations without necessarily directing them.

— Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 10 Oct. 2026
Hilton’s edgy attitude and pugnacious put-downs would place him right at home among the network’s collection of trolls, provocateurs and Democrat-bashing gargoyles.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of provocateurs

Noun

As the counting of ballots continues, voting rights advocates are now looking ahead to any potential controversies over close races and the certification of results.

— Miles Parks, NPR, 4 Nov. 2026
Teachers, coaches, small businesses, housing advocates and neighbors from across the city have said yes.

— Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of advocates

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instigators

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“Instigators.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instigators. Accessed 8 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of instigators

noun

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