instigator
Americannoun
-
instigators
plural
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
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.
See Examples For:
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
When Thorne first read the book, lead character Jack, instigator of hunts on the island, was the "epitome of evil".
From BBC ● Feb. 2, 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
He was a fast picker in the rows and a joyful instigator outside of them; he brought both kinds of dexterity to this night.
From "The Underground Railroad: A Novel" by Colson Whitehead
Loyalist commanders estimate there were half-a-dozen coup instigators and perhaps 40 eager co-conspirators.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 12, 2026
Intervention by the governor and community mediation efforts restored a fragile peace to the area, but the instigators of the violence remain at large.
From Barron's ● Feb. 26, 2026
Claire Chase, who has been one of the most influential instigators of the Pauline Oliveros revival, was this year’s Ojai Festival energizer bunny.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 10, 2025
In the meeting, he promised the "entire state apparatus" was "fully mobilised to track down the perpetrators and instigators of this violence and put them out of action", according to French media reports.
From BBC ● May 27, 2025
In 2012, several further studies corroborated these initial findings, strengthening the links between these variants of mental illness and family histories and deepening questions about their etiology, epidemiology, triggers, and instigators.
From "The Gene" by Siddhartha Mukherjee
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