instigator

noun

Definition of instigatornext
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Examples Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for instigator
  1. proponent
  2. supporter
  3. promoter
  4. rebel
  5. advocate
  6. agitator
  7. demonstrator
  8. firebrand
Noun
  • And, unlike financial commitments made at the UN climate conference, this decision would put rules in place that proponents say would be hard for the incoming Trump administration to undo.
    Zoë Schlanger, The Atlantic, 13 Dec. 2024
  • In 2023, the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals sided with the opponents, halting the project, but proponents petitioned the Supreme Court to review that decision.
    Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2024
Definition of proponent
Noun
  • But one big question many senators will likely ask is how Kennedy plans to turn around America's eating habits in a way that doesn't hurt U.S. farmers or heavily regulate agricultural businesses that are key political supporters of President-elect Donald Trump.
    Anne Flaherty, ABC News, 16 Dec. 2024
  • This happened right in front of the away supporters who cheered and Spence then whipped his arms up asking for more noise.
    Jay Harris, The Athletic, 16 Dec. 2024
Definition of supporter
Noun
  • On top of being a major promoter of online sports betting, Portnoy, 47, is considered to be one of the pizza world’s biggest influencers.
    Dan Belson, Baltimore Sun, 26 Dec. 2024
  • While the judges clearly scored the Usyk vs. Fury 2 fight for the Ukrainian competitor, Frank Warren, the head of Queensberry Promotions, and Fury’s promoter, thought the fight should have gone the other way.
    Trent Reinsmith, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
Definition of promoter
Noun
  • What's New On Friday 170 House Republicans joined Democrats to approve an emergency funding bill just hours before a partial government shutdown was due to go into effect, despite President-elect Donald Trump's threat to oust any rebels.
    Gord Magill, Newsweek, 21 Dec. 2024
  • As Assad regained control over much of the territory lost to the rebels, Syria slid further into poverty.
    Loubna Mrie, The Atlantic, 20 Dec. 2024
Definition of rebel
Noun
  • Gun-safety advocates say that Monday's shooting highlights the ongoing need to prioritize safety and preparedness in schools in an America that is armed to its teeth.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 17 Dec. 2024
  • But, over the past decade, disability rights advocates have increasingly pushed companies to end the lower pay practice, describing it as discriminatory, dehumanizing and exploitative.
    Karissa Waddick, USA TODAY, 17 Dec. 2024
Definition of advocate
Noun
  • Elphaba is radicalized into terrorism when her favorite college professor, the Goat and Animal rights agitator Doctor Dillamond, is assassinated by the government.
    Constance Grady, Vox, 20 Nov. 2024
  • Days earlier, Spanish media reported that anti-Israel agitators would protest outside the stadium to target Israel’s soccer club and its fans.
    Scott McDonald, Fox News, 8 Nov. 2024
Definition of agitator
Noun
  • Outside the courthouse, small groups of pro- and anti-Netanyahu demonstrators are chanting from opposite sides of a police barrier.
    NBC News, NBC News, 10 Dec. 2024
  • Some 700 miles to the north, the shouts of protesters and pops from their fireworks can be heard in the streets of Tbilisi, Georgia, where demonstrators continue their weeks-long call for an end to the pro-Russian ruling party in parliament and entry into the European Union.
    Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, TIME, 10 Dec. 2024
Definition of demonstrator
Noun
  • The legal action could be the final battle for Gaetz in the years-long investigation into the firebrand Republican.
    Zach Schonfeld, The Hill, 23 Dec. 2024
  • Though the allegations have followed Gaetz for years, the committee’s report marks a first public finding of fault against the former firebrand congressman and loyalist to President-elect Donald Trump.
    Steven Lemongello, Orlando Sentinel, 23 Dec. 2024
Definition of firebrand
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.

Thesaurus Entries Near instigator

instigative

instigator

instigators

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Instigator.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instigator. Accessed 31 Dec. 2024.

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More from Merriam-Webster on instigator

Nglish: Translation of instigator for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of instigator for Arabic Speakers

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