provoker
One who agitates
A provoker is someone or something that provokes—that stirs up a reaction, incites conflict, or deliberately agitates.
The word typically carries negative connotations, suggesting someone who needles others or starts trouble: He was known as a provoker, always pushing people's buttons.
Less commonly, it can describe anything that stimulates or prompts action: Coffee is a reliable provoker of morning productivity.
One who creates discord
- agitatorOne who foments discord
- inciterOne who provokes action
- rabble-rouserOne who stirs dissent
- firebrandAgitator or burning stick
pot-stirrer · antagonist · fomenter · inflamer · instigator · demagogue · incendiary · schemer
What initiates action
- sparkTiny fiery particle
- stimulusWhat prompts a reaction
- impetusForce initiating action
- promptIncite to action
spur · goad · prod · incitement · instigation · motivation · incentive · inducement
One who opposes another
- challengerOne competing against incumbent
- opponentOne who contends against
- belligerentHostile and eager to clash
- combatantOne who fights
aggressor · attacker · assailant · rival · nemesis · foil · enemy · confronter
Mild anger or inflammation
- annoyanceState of being bothered
- frustrationDispleasure from blocked efforts
- agitationDisturbed, restless state
- exasperationIntense weary annoyance
vexation · anger · resentment · hostility · tension · conflict · discord · confrontation
troublemaker
One who creates discord
- agitatorOne who foments discord
- inciterOne who provokes action
- rabble-rouserOne who stirs dissent
firebrand · pot-stirrer · antagonist · fomenter · inflamer · instigator · demagogue · incendiary · schemer · manipulator
trigger
What initiates action
prompt · spur · goad · prod · incitement · instigation · motivation · incentive · inducement · impulse
antagonist
One who opposes another
- challengerOne competing against incumbent
- opponentOne who contends against
- belligerentHostile and eager to clash
combatant · aggressor · attacker · assailant · rival · nemesis · foil · enemy · confronter · disputer
irritation
Mild anger or inflammation
- annoyanceState of being bothered
- frustrationDispleasure from blocked efforts
- agitationDisturbed, restless state
exasperation · vexation · anger · resentment · hostility · tension · conflict · discord · confrontation · reaction
- motivatorsmotivator, rewards, ambition, incentive, incentives
provokerpeacemaker
Conflict resolution agent
pacifier · mediator · conciliator · reconciler · peacekeeper
provoke, provoked, provoking, provokes, unprovoked, provokers, provokable, reprovoked