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 the Winnipeg meet & show was the Winnipeg Flying Club.

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

He had ridden to the furthest outposts of his section to join us, and under his guidance we were conducted to two or three spots, where The Instigator inspected rodeos of animals in his charge.

From Argentina from a British Point of View by Various

Related Words

• ringleader