INSTIGATOR Synonyms: 47 Similar and Opposite Words

instigator

noun

Definition of instigator

as in proponent

a person who stirs up public feelings especially of discontent an instigator who always managed to be innocently standing by once the fighting began

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of instigator Said another way, Meta’s social media are an instigator of the community and living that are enemies of depression and mental instability. — John Tamny, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026 The use of simplified Chinese, used in China, found in internal documents linked to the hack suggests a high probability that the instigator, whether public or private, is linked to China, experts said. — John Liu, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026 Luis Suarez was one of the instigators, spit on a Sounders official, and was punished with six-game Leagues Cup suspension, which means the Uruguayan forward is banned from the entire 2026 tournament. — Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 6 Aug. 2026 It was said in jest, yet the sport’s most audacious instigators might take him up on it. — Stephen J. Nesbitt, New York Times, 23 July 2026 Greek director-screenwriter-producer Tsangari is considered a principal instigator of the Greek New Wave. — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 22 July 2026 Heat coach Erik Spoelstra at the time downplayed the confrontation, with the Heat routinely making peace after acquiring former Heat instigators. — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 28 June 2026 The parents, arguably the film’s first instigators, operate based off fear of their children’s sexuality. — Arushi Jacob, Variety, 19 June 2026 The Aussies aren’t the sole instigators, according to them. — Sean Gregory, Time, 18 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for instigator

Noun

The mere existence of such a network, proponents say, would give would-be criminals pause, knowing there’s nowhere to run without being watched.

— Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026
The memo is a bit surprising considering Gates still advises Microsoft, one of the major proponents of the technology, and an investor in OpenAI.

— Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of proponent

Noun

The camera spins on its own ketamine high as Peter (Firstman), party promoter extraordinaire and generous drug dealer, kicks off another evening.

— Joshua Rothkopf, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026
Famed Phoenix concert promoter is selling 50 years of music history Foodies are crashing out over Michelin snub.

— Meredith G. White, AZCentral.com, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of promoter

Noun

So are 44 of 50 state attorneys general, dozens of Indian tribes, consumer advocates, addiction experts, and an increasingly bipartisan contingent on Capitol Hill.

— Marshall Cohen, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2026
Satish Thiagarjan, founder and CEO of Brysa, advocates using a scoring system rather than relying on instinct.

— Alison Coleman, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of advocate

Noun

At 6-10 and 250 pounds, Freedom looks like an unfamiliar agitator.

— Jerry Brewer, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
For several years before the IAU vote, there had been agitators among the astronomical community lobbying for our solar system's nine worlds to become eight, and for Pluto's planetary status to be revoked.

— Keith Cooper, Space.com, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of agitator

Noun

This will be followed by the A2 demonstrator that will upgrade performance and include actual weapons by 2030.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 24 Aug. 2026
That facility will serve as a one-megawatt commercial demonstrator and provide longer-duration reliability testing.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of demonstrator

Noun

Who might emerge as the provocateur of the Premier League touchline and who might cast dark aspersions in press conferences?

— Adam Crafton, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026
Donalds defeated several primary challengers, including far-right online provocateur James Fishback.

— Caroline Linton, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of provocateur

Browse Nearby Words

instigative

instigator

instigators

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Instigator.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instigator. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of instigator

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

conscientious

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Popular in Wordplay

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes