Synonyms

instigator

American

[in-sti-gey-ter] / ˈɪn stɪˌgeɪ tər /

Rarely instigant

noun

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.

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

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

According to their coach, Romain Haguenauer, this change of music was the result of behind-the-scenes manipulation -- the instigator allegedly an American judge, a compatriot of Chock and Bates.

From Barron's • Feb. 10, 2026

He is desperate not to be the instigator, or author, of another blast of extraordinary turbulence in British politics.

From BBC • Feb. 9, 2026

When asked by Bloomberg TV about reporting that he was an instigator in the probe, Pulte said the Justice Department and its investigation into Powell is outside of his purview.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 13, 2026

"It potentially acts as an instigator of early Alzheimer's pathology."

From Science Daily • Dec. 22, 2025

Terryl also felt that Kathie was accusing her of being an instigator.

From "A Deadly Wandering: A Mystery, a Landmark Investigation, and the Astonishing Science of Attention in the Digital Age" by Matt Richtel

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023