instigator

American  

[in-sti-gey-ter] / ˈɪn stɪˌgeɪ tər /

Rarely instigant

noun

instigators plural

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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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• instigators
  plural

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 of the Winnipeg meet & show was the Winnipeg Flying Club.

From Time Magazine Archive

All anxiety was quickly allayed by one glance at the face of The Instigator.

From Argentina from a British Point of View by Various

Related Words

• ringleader