Meaning & use
instigator
A person who initiates or provokes an event, especially trouble or wrongdoing.
See it in a sentence
Police identified him as the instigator behind the vandalism at the school.
As the instigator of the prank, she was the first one called into the principal's office.
A note on using this word
Instigator usually carries a negative connotation, implying blame for starting a conflict or scheme.
Words with a similar meaning
ringleaderprovoker
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
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