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
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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 All of that would be intriguing even if the founders of Deep Voodoo weren’t South Park instigators Trey Parker and Matt Stone. —
Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 31 Mar. 2026 Hawkins joked that Heckel is usually the instigator of any trash talk between them, but there hasn’t been much jawing ahead of Monday’s second-round NCAA Tournament game. —Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 22 Mar. 2026 In 2001, the United States and its allies stormed into Afghanistan, aiming to destroy the Taliban and round up the instigators of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. —Nolan Finley, Twin Cities, 6 Mar. 2026 An instigator all night long for the Chargers, the 5-foot-3 Dutkanych finally took in the scene around her before reaching up to softly rub a growing lump on her forehead, reddened by the ice. —Rick Armstrong, Chicago Tribune, 25 Feb. 2026 Officers later reviewed security camera footage and identified Murff as the instigator of the altercation. —Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 19 Feb. 2026 While some see Nelly as an empathetic and motherly caretaker, others view her as a manipulative, calculating instigator who shapes the narrative to justify her own actions. —Megan McCluskey, Time, 13 Feb. 2026 Little has been accomplished, and Labour’s woes seem likely to benefit the Reform Party, a new nationalist, populist outfit led by the Brexit instigator Nigel Farage. —Idrees Kahloon, The Atlantic, 8 Feb. 2026 The instigators were allowed to go beyond peaceful protests to hindering law enforcement from doing their job which escalated with the result of two people tragically losing their lives. —Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 1 Feb. 2026
Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 31 Mar. 2026 Hawkins joked that Heckel is usually the instigator of any trash talk between them, but there hasn’t been much jawing ahead of Monday’s second-round NCAA Tournament game. —Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 22 Mar. 2026 In 2001, the United States and its allies stormed into Afghanistan, aiming to destroy the Taliban and round up the instigators of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. —Nolan Finley, Twin Cities, 6 Mar. 2026 An instigator all night long for the Chargers, the 5-foot-3 Dutkanych finally took in the scene around her before reaching up to softly rub a growing lump on her forehead, reddened by the ice. —Rick Armstrong, Chicago Tribune, 25 Feb. 2026 Officers later reviewed security camera footage and identified Murff as the instigator of the altercation. —Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 19 Feb. 2026 While some see Nelly as an empathetic and motherly caretaker, others view her as a manipulative, calculating instigator who shapes the narrative to justify her own actions. —Megan McCluskey, Time, 13 Feb. 2026 Little has been accomplished, and Labour’s woes seem likely to benefit the Reform Party, a new nationalist, populist outfit led by the Brexit instigator Nigel Farage. —Idrees Kahloon, The Atlantic, 8 Feb. 2026 The instigators were allowed to go beyond peaceful protests to hindering law enforcement from doing their job which escalated with the result of two people tragically losing their lives. —Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 1 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instigator
Noun
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But proponents see the redistricting push in Virginia as a necessary reaction after Republicans launched similar actions in states like Texas, North Carolina and Missouri.— Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 17 Apr. 2026
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While the proponents of this plan promise lower rates and more local control, the reality is far more dangerous.— Chris Cate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Apr. 2026
Noun
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In the aftermath, Steyer and his rivals have been working to win over Swalwell’s supporters.— Ted Johnson, Deadline, 22 Apr. 2026
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His supporters touted video of Stevens being booed at the convention, only to watch other Democrats openly resent the disruption — likening it to activists on the left who refused to vote for Democratic nominees in 2016 and 2024.— Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 22 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Adding Bahrain back into the fold could salvage a sizable chunk of those losses, with the promoter fee for the race estimated to be more than $50 million, according to the note.— Justin Birnbaum, Sportico.com, 23 Apr. 2026
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Don’t look now, but Live Nation is shedding its low-margin promoter roots and emerging as a dominant venue owner/operator that increasingly commands the kind of premium valuation multiple its scale, control and economics justify.— Justin Zacks, CNBC, 23 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Rwanda frames its role as defensive measures to protect its territory from Hutu rebels responsible for the 1994 genocide in Rwanda.— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Apr. 2026
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The series emphasizes hope and the power of collective action, providing a nuanced look at both the rebels and the individuals within the Empire, ultimately highlighting the enduring relevance of its themes of oppression and resistance in today’s world.— Brande Victorian, HollywoodReporter, 23 Apr. 2026
Noun
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These developments add to growing concerns among rights advocates over restrictions on independent media, civil society and any dissenting voices under Saied.— Ghaya ben Mbarek, Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2026
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Rebuilding Penn Station has been a white whale for transit advocates and civic leaders since the 1990s.— Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 25 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Use a front-loading washing machine or a top-loading washing machine without an agitator.— Katie Cloyd, Martha Stewart, 22 Apr. 2026
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Type Of Machine For a top-loading washing machine, add sheets to the drum one at a time in a loose pile, and distribute them evenly around the agitator or impeller.— Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 13 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Aurora Flight Sciences has taken a major step forward in its experimental aircraft program, announcing that the fuselage of its X-65 demonstrator has arrived in Virginia for final systems integration.— Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 3 Apr. 2026
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Back at Mill Creek Park, amid a crowd of protesters taking a breather after the march, one demonstrator flies a kite.— Jenna Ebbers, Kansas City Star, 28 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Alliances with independents and provocateurs can bring younger crowds to the traditional news fold in an era when such viewership is not guaranteed.— Brian Steinberg, Variety, 20 Apr. 2026
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For 15 years as a member of French psych pop provocateurs La Femme, Magnée and band members were walking billboards for retro chic fashion.— Selena Fragassi, SPIN, 14 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Instigator.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/thesaurus/instigator. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.
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