instigator
One who incites
An instigator is someone who starts or provokes something, usually trouble.
The word carries negative connotations—instigators stir up conflict, incite others to act, or set events in motion that wouldn't have happened otherwise: He was the instigator of the bar fight.
In legal contexts, an instigator may bear responsibility for crimes they encouraged others to commit.
One who stirs dissent
- firebrandAgitator or burning stick
- fomenterOne who incites trouble
- provocateurOne who deliberately incites
- demagogueManipulative populist leader
pot-stirrer · troublemaker · ringleader · incendiary · stirrer · agitator · seditionist · antagonist
One who initiates
- architectBuilding design professional
- mastermindScheme's chief planner
- authorCreator of written works
- pioneerEarly explorer or settler
founder · prime mover · planner · engineer · orchestrator · designer · deviser · formulator
Tiny fiery particle
- triggerWhat initiates action
- impetusForce initiating action
- stimulusWhat prompts a reaction
- precipitantCauses solid formation
activator · spur · ignition · prime mover · promoter · inducer · motivator · accelerant
Seeking fundamental systemic change
- insurgentOne who revolts
- dissidentOpposer of established systems
- anarchistOne opposing all governance
- subversiveSeeking to undermine authority
radical · mutineer · renegade · malcontent · iconoclast · nonconformist · maverick · guerrilla
State of public disturbance
- upheavalViolent disturbance of order
- turmoilViolent disturbance or confusion
- strifeAngry, prolonged conflict
- discordLack of agreement
dissent · friction · ferment · agitation · provocation · incitement · trouble · disturbance
rabble-rouser
One who stirs dissent
- firebrandAgitator or burning stick
- fomenterOne who incites trouble
- provocateurOne who deliberately incites
demagogue · pot-stirrer · troublemaker · ringleader · incendiary · stirrer · agitator · seditionist · antagonist · schemer
originator
One who initiates
- architectBuilding design professional
- mastermindScheme's chief planner
- authorCreator of written works
pioneer · founder · prime mover · planner · engineer · orchestrator · designer · deviser · formulator · contriver
spark
Tiny fiery particle
precipitant · activator · spur · ignition · prime mover · promoter · inducer · motivator · accelerant · driving force
revolutionary
Seeking fundamental systemic change
subversive · radical · mutineer · renegade · malcontent · iconoclast · nonconformist · maverick · guerrilla · conspirator
unrest
State of public disturbance
- upheavalViolent disturbance of order
- turmoilViolent disturbance or confusion
- strifeAngry, prolonged conflict
discord · dissent · friction · ferment · agitation · provocation · incitement · trouble · disturbance · disruption
- difficult peopleegomaniac, egotist, nitpicker, drama queen, control freak
- originatorsfounder, creator, inventor, innovator, pioneer
- troublemakerstroublemaker, rascals, delinquents, imps, brats
- troublemakingtroublemaker, troublemaking, agitator, stir, agitating
- doersdoer, doers, workers, go-getter, makers
- Pioneerspioneer, pioneers, forerunner, trailblazer, innovator
instigatorpeacemaker
Conflict resolution agent
mediator · conciliator · reconciler · peacekeeper · uniter
instigate, instigation, instigating, instigated, instigates, instigators, instigations