instigator

American  

[in-sti-gey-ter] / ˈɪn stɪˌgeɪ tər /

Rarely instigant

noun

1. a person or thing that provokes or incites an action or course: Plays to be performed at the festival focus on a theme of how youth can be the instigators of positive change.

   Peaceful protesters outnumbered the violent instigators, and they kept the demonstration from becoming a riot.

   Plays to be performed at the festival focus on a theme of how youth can be the instigators of positive change.

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Etymology

Origin of instigator

First recorded in 1590–1600; from Latin instigātor, equivalent to instigāt(us) + -or -or ² ( def. ); see instigate ( def. )

Example Sentences

Along with Sam, dubbed "The Instigator," the miniseries features his conservative cousin — attorney and future president John Adams — referred to as "The Reluctant One."

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 2, 2015

Ljungberg the Instigator Seattle's second goal last week was a direct result of Freddie Ljungberg's playmaking.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 13, 2010

Instigator of these dark proceedings was big, crusading Dorothy Donnell, chief of the radio division of the Department of Justice's Immigration Service.

From Time Magazine Archive

Instigator was a little textile salesman named Jacob Abelson who commutes daily over the eleven miles from Jamaica to Manhattan.

From Time Magazine Archive

Or, she can see the objects, admire them, but seek beyond them for their Instigator and Creator.

From The Prodigal Returns by Staveley, Lilian

Related Words

• ringleader