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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While proponents argue that these measures will reduce regulatory delays and bolster U.S. technological leadership, there will no doubt be concerns about potential compromises to safety and the undermining of regulatory independence.—
Garth Friesen,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2025 -
But with three weeks left in the regular session, proponents are still trying to figure out what — if any — changes may move forward this year.—
Jenna Carlesso,
Hartford Courant,
23 May 2025
Noun
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The site, frequented by far-right supporters of the president, has been used to spread conspiracy theories.—
Neil Vigdor,
New York Times,
28 May 2025
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Jenkins is the latest pardon Trump has given to loyal supporters.—
Martha Bellisle,
Los Angeles Times,
27 May 2025
Noun
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Fever’s music partners include standout names such as Primavera Sound, Fabrik, Last Tour, Cercle and TCE Presents, while Dice is trusted by such venues, festivals, and promoters as Club Space, Newport Jazz and Folk Festival, Sonar, London’s Alexandra Palace and Rough Trade globally.—
Thania Garcia,
Variety,
5 June 2025
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Local promoters Flip Phone Events began offering drag brunches in 2015 and have since expanded into 19 other states and Washington, D.C.—
Ross Raihala,
Twin Cities,
3 June 2025
Noun
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Also starring Jamie Lee Curtis, the original 2003 flick found Lohan’s character — a teenage rebel who fronts a rock band called Pink Slip — magically switching bodies with her mother.—
Hannah Dailey,
Billboard,
28 May 2025
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Bo was a rebel on a motorcycle who soon fell for the rich and spirited Hope.—
Victoria Edel,
People.com,
26 May 2025
Noun
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An excerpt from our conversation is later in this newsletter. ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE Ever since companies began to use enterprise AI, advocates have continually said that the technology wasn’t out to replace jobs, and that humans would always be a necessary part of the equation.—
Megan Poinski,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2025
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Even with the availability of federal vouchers and other housing aid, thousands of people remain bouncing between hotel rooms, living out of their cars or in other unstable housing situations, advocates said.—
Liam Dillon,
Los Angeles Times,
27 May 2025
Noun
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Listen to this article Charges have been dropped against a police agitator accused of trying to break into an NYPD officer’s Brooklyn home after prosecutors reviewed video of a protest outside the cop’s house.—
Julian Roberts-Grmela,
New York Daily News,
23 May 2025
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Once the agitators calmed down, the acting president was able to get through her final points.—
Michael Dorgan,
FOXNews.com,
21 May 2025
Noun
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Union demonstrators demanding passage of the bill greeted lawmakers outside the Capitol in the morning, circling a corner of the parking lot used by the governor and top legislative leaders.—
Mark Pazniokas,
Hartford Courant,
29 May 2025
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It's been years in the making, with New Atlas having covered Horizon's unique eVTOL design as early as 2021 and when the company was still talking about building a 1:6 scale Cavorite X5 demonstrator.—
Joe Salas
May 17,
New Atlas,
17 May 2025
Noun
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The audience lapped up everything this firebrand 5-foot-tall Indian auntie had to say.—
Sarah Khan,
New York Times,
29 May 2025
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Even in a ruby red Georgia community represented by conservative firebrand and immigration hardliner Marjorie Taylor Greene in Congress, Arias Cristobal's arrest has made many uneasy.—
May 14,
CBS News,
14 May 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Instigator.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instigator. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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