instigator

Meaning

A person who intentionally instigates, incites, or starts something, especially one that creates trouble.

Synonyms

initiator

agitator

firebrand

inciter

provoker

rabble-rouser

abettor

stirrer

troublemaker

abetter

stimulator

exciter

leader

incendiary

aggressor

provocateur

instigant

ringleader

injurer

instigation

inventor

malfeasant

manipulator

marplot

monger

mover

offender

originator

perpetrator

persuader

powerful

principal

promoter

prompter

spur

starter

supporting

violent

wrongdoer

first cause

mischief-maker

first one to sing

pushing from behind

flagwaving

fire-brand

galvaniser

agent provocateur

allurement

arsonist

attraction

Translations

instigateur

instigador

instigador

Anstifter

ophitser

initiatiefnemer

aanstichter

aanstoker

istigatore

attizzatore

sobillatore

محرض

iniziatore

provocateur

Anstifterin

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈɪnstɪɡeɪtə/

Etymology

Cognate with French: instigateur

In summary

From Latin īnstīgātor (“stimulator”), from īnstīgāre (present infinitive of īnstīgō (“to incite, set on, stimulate, rouse or urge”), possibly from Proto-Indo-European *(s)teyg- (“to be sharp, to stab; to puncture; to goad”)) + -or (from -ō (suffix forming masculine agent nouns), from Proto-Indo-European *-h₃onh₂- (suffix forming nouns denoting authority or burden)); cognate with French instigateur. By surface analysis, instigate + -or.