instigator
noun/ˈɪnstɪɡeɪtər/
Frequency rank: #17,745 most common English word
Meaning
A person who initiates or provokes an action or event, especially a harmful one.

Example sentence
Police identified him as the instigator of the violence that broke out during the protest.
Synonyms & related words
- provocateur
- agitator
- inciter
- ringleader
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