instigator

/ˈɪnstɪɡeɪtə(r)/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈɪnstɪɡeɪtər/ (ame, ipa) · /-ˌgātə(r) -ātə-/ (ame, mw)

instigator — noun

  • instigatorsingular
  • instigatorsplural

1. someone who deliberately pushes other people into taking an action, particularly

1.名詞B2
釋義

someone who deliberately pushes other people into taking an action, particularly one that creates trouble, conflict, or harm.

例句

Rosa was the instigator of a nasty argument between the two department heads.

instigator of [something] — noun + of-phrase for the action

The police arrested Guo for being the instigator of the fight outside the bar.

同義詞
  • troublemaker

    broader; describes someone who habitually causes problems, not necessarily by urging others

  • agitator

    more political; often used for someone who stirs up protest or unrest

  • provocateur

    more formal; suggests hidden or manipulative intent

反義詞
  • peacemaker

    someone who tries to stop conflict rather than start it

  • mediator

    someone who helps opposing sides reach agreement

文法句型

instigator + of + [something unpleasant]

instigator + behind + [event]

用法筆記

This sense carries a strongly negative judgement of the person's influence. The instigator does not necessarily carry out the action themselves — they provoke others to do it.

常見錯誤

❌The instigator personally broke the window.
✅The instigator of the vandalism persuaded others to break the window.
💡An instigator makes other people act; they don't necessarily do it themselves.

2. a person who starts an activity or plan by making the first move when others are

2.名詞C1
釋義

a person who starts an activity or plan by making the first move when others are still deciding what to do.

例句

Yuki was the instigator of a bike-sharing programme across the university campus.

instigator of [positive initiative] — neutral or positive use

Amara is widely regarded as the instigator of the community's new garden project.

passive: regarded as the instigator

同義詞
  • initiator

    more neutral; focuses on being the first, not on motivating others

  • pioneer

    stronger; suggests originality and trailblazing in a new field

  • founder

    more formal; used when someone establishes an organisation or institution

反義詞
  • follower

    someone who joins after the initiative has already started

  • opponent

    someone who actively tries to stop the initiative

文法句型

instigator + of + [plan/project/movement]

instigator + behind + [initiative]

用法筆記

Unlike sense 1, this sense can be neutral or even positive. It overlaps with initiator but emphasises that the person got things moving when others were passive.

常見錯誤

❌The instigator of the project sat back and did nothing.
✅The instigator of the project was the first person to get started.
💡An instigator actively takes the first step; they do not just suggest an idea.