Library / English Dictionary

INSTIGATOR

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (noun) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

A person who initiates a course of action

Synonyms:

initiator; instigator

Classified under:

Nouns denoting people

Hypernyms ("instigator" is a kind of...):

leader (a person who rules or guides or inspires others)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "instigator"):

aggressor (a confident assertive person who acts as instigator)

Derivation:

instigate (serve as the inciting cause of)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Someone who deliberately foments trouble

Example:

she was the instigator of their quarrel

Synonyms:

firebrand; inciter; instigant; instigator; provoker

Classified under:

Nouns denoting people

Hypernyms ("instigator" is a kind of...):

bad hat; mischief-maker; trouble maker; troublemaker; troubler (someone who deliberately stirs up trouble)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "instigator"):

ringleader (a person who leads (especially in illicit activities))

Derivation:

instigate (provoke or stir up)

Credits