instigator

[ in-sti-gey-ter ]

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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of instigator¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; from Latin instigātor, equivalent to instigāt(us) + -or -or ²( def ); instigate ( def )

Example Sentences

A key instigator was a group on the Telegram messaging app, set up about six hours after the stabbings.

From BBC

"After Kazan and after he shook hands with the war’s instigator and spent UN Day on the territory of the aggressor country, it would be somehow strange to host him here."

From BBC

Yet the historical record shows that while Trump has become a victim of a toxic political culture, he’s also one of its primary instigators.

From Salon

Tuesday's release of findings concluded it was "highly likely that she was hit indirectly and unintentionally by IDF fire which was not aimed at her, but aimed at the key instigator of the riot."

From BBC

Online lies and misinformation inflamed the situation and some key instigators used social media and messaging apps to spread hatred and call for protests at fixed times and places.

From BBC

Related Words

• ringleader