instigators

noun

plural of instigator
as in proponents
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

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 instigators Luis Suarez was one of the instigators, spit on a Sounders official, and was punished with six-game Leagues Cup suspension, which means the Uruguayan forward is banned from the entire 2026 tournament. — Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 6 Aug. 2026 It was said in jest, yet the sport’s most audacious instigators might take him up on it. — Stephen J. Nesbitt, New York Times, 23 July 2026 Heat coach Erik Spoelstra at the time downplayed the confrontation, with the Heat routinely making peace after acquiring former Heat instigators. — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 28 June 2026 The parents, arguably the film’s first instigators, operate based off fear of their children’s sexuality. — Arushi Jacob, Variety, 19 June 2026 The Aussies aren’t the sole instigators, according to them. — Sean Gregory, Time, 18 June 2026 There are leaders, lurkers, peacekeepers, instigators, and the person who only surfaces to drop an occasional thumbs-up. — Sam Reed, Glamour, 18 May 2026 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 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instigators
  1. proponents
  2. promoters
  3. agitators
  4. supporters
  5. rebels
  6. provocateurs
  7. advocates
  8. insurgents
Noun
  • The movie’s proponents also stressed that the film industry was an economic engine for the city.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 7 Oct. 2026
  • On the other side of the campaign, John Adams was labeled by Jefferson's proponents as a monarchist with aspirations to become king of the new United States.
    — Cal Thomas, Arkansas Online, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of proponents
Noun
  • Two vocal supporters of Democratic gubernatorial hopeful Xavier Becerra filed a formal campaign finance complaint against his rival, Steve Hilton, on Tuesday over the Republican campaign’s use of paid online promoters.
    — Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Fears about a future AI apocalypse distract us from its present-day harms — just as its promoters hope.
    — Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of promoters
Noun
  • The incident came as agitators against immigration adopt a confrontational new tactic of trying to stop the boats landing on England’s shores, clashing with police and rescue workers in the process.
    — Jill Lawless, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2026
  • Among the agitators were the workers at Sytin’s Moscow publishing house.
    — James Folta, Literary Hub, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of agitators
Noun
  • The measure has drawn mixed reactions, with supporters arguing that early intervention could reduce per-student costs over time and opponents saying property owners already face rising costs and the district should use existing resources.
    — Chaewon Chung, Sacbee.com, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Clark supporters argued one game was insufficient for an ejectable non-basketball act.
    — Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of supporters
Noun
  • Ethiopian Airlines had suspended flights to Mekelle and the Tigrayan cities of Axum and Shire after the rebels seized the airport.
    — Rodney Muhumuza, Los Angeles Times, 4 Oct. 2026
  • While the British prevailed over the rebels, the uprising laid the foundations for African nationalism.
    — Chinatsu Tsuji, Encyclopedia Britannica, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of rebels
Noun
  • The faux outrage was egged on by professional right-wing provocateurs like Robby Starbuck, Benny Johnson and a leading investor in MAGA darling Steak n’ Shake.
    — Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Global organizations navigate a complex landscape, prompting boards to evolve beyond traditional oversight into strategic provocateurs.
    — Anna Marks, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
Definition of provocateurs
Noun
  • Amid the uncertainty, children have been going to their court hearings without legal representation lately, according to advocates.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Some advocates see differently than Alito While many religious liberty advocates openly share Alito's concerns, some have voiced a different view of the current state of affairs.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of advocates
Noun
  • They’re seen as oligarchs, as the people with wealth and power, controlling our lives—not as outsider insurgents.
    — Nicholas Lemann, New Yorker, 4 Oct. 2026
  • International sanctions persisted, and PF’s ZANLA and ZIPRA insurgents continued their liberation war.
    — Chinatsu Tsuji, Encyclopedia Britannica, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of insurgents

Browse Nearby Words

instigator
instigators
instill
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Cite this Entry

“Instigators.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instigators. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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