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. ); instigate ( def. )

Example Sentences

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

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

From BBC

I grinned, not sorry to be the instigator of our new look.

From Literature

When Thorne first read the book, lead character Jack, instigator of hunts on the island, was the "epitome of evil".

From BBC

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

Related Words

• ringleader