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
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instigator
Noun
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Though no concrete evidence was ever provided, proponents of the rumor published multiple videos on YouTube, Facebook and other social media platforms detailing their claims.—
Adeola Adeosun,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 July 2025 -
Crypto proponents say those rules could legitimize stablecoins, making banks, retailers and consumers more comfortable with using them to transfer funds.—
Niket Nishant,
USA Today,
12 July 2025
Noun
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The President’s supporters have expressed anger and frustration over how the Administration has handled the case in the wake of the move.—
Chantelle Lee,
Time,
14 July 2025
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Ryan was the sole supporter of his family at the time of his death, per the fundraising page.—
Toria Sheffield,
People.com,
13 July 2025
Noun
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From b-boy to concert promoter to hip-hop shop owner Chuck Huus opened the first Trill Hip Hop Shop at 2401 E. Indian School Road in late 2017, moving down the road a bit to 1817 E. Indian School Road in 2018 before settling into its current home on Dec. 18, 2024.—
Ed Masley,
AZCentral.com,
13 July 2025
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If weather cancels a festival or an outdoor show, fans may or may not get a full refund, depending on the policies of the promoter and ticketing company.—
Bill Hochberg,
Forbes.com,
9 July 2025
Noun
-
The Houthis paused attacks until the U.S. launched a broad assault against the rebels in mid-March.—
Sydney Lake,
Fortune,
8 July 2025
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Shortly after that, Israeli airstrikes on Iranian weapons shipments to Hezbollah across neighboring Syria — at the time, a key ally of Iran — weakened the dictatorship of President Bashar al-Assad, who was overthrown last December by rebels.—
James Hider,
NPR,
7 July 2025
Noun
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Last month state immigration advocates warned that arrests of undocumented immigrants were ramping up in the state, creating anxiety and fear in communities with people taken every day.—
Livi Stanford,
Hartford Courant,
14 July 2025
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But while some politicians say these registries are a potential solution to a public health problem, many disability advocates see them as ineffective tools that give people a false sense of security because there is no guarantee of evacuation help.—
Miranda Green,
CBS News,
14 July 2025
Noun
-
Avoid washing bulky loads in a top-loader with a center agitator.—
The Washington Post,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
12 July 2025
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Of all the larger-than-life agitators and provocateurs to come out of Flint, Michigan, in the past few years, he’s become one of the best rappers of the bunch.—
Alphonse Pierre,
Pitchfork,
6 June 2025
Noun
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As immigration arrests have occurred across Southern California, demonstrators have protested the federal government’s actions and bystanders have sometimes confronted immigration officers or recorded their actions.—
Andrew J. Campa,
Los Angeles Times,
29 June 2025
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The burning of Jewish demonstrators in Boulder, Colorado; the killing of Israeli Embassy staffers Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgram in Washington, and the murder of 6-year-old Palestinian boy Wadea Al-Fayoume in Plainfield Township are equally tragic and pointless.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
27 June 2025
Noun
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Where to watch: Hulu, Disney+ 'Madea's Destination Wedding' Tyler Perry's don't-call-her-elderly firebrand Madea returns in yet another comedy.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
12 July 2025
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Since assuming office in December 2023, the firebrand libertarian economist has slashed government expenditures and secured a $20 billion deal with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).—
Jesus Mesa,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 July 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Instigator.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instigator. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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