Synonyms/Hypernyms (Ordered by Estimated Frequency) of noun instigator

2 senses of instigator

Sense 1
instigator, provoker, inciter, instigant, firebrand -- (someone who deliberately foments trouble; "she was the instigator of their quarrel")
       => troublemaker, trouble maker, troubler, mischief-maker, bad hat -- (someone who deliberately stirs up trouble)

Sense 2
instigator, initiator -- (a person who initiates a course of action)
       => leader -- (a person who rules or guides or inspires others)