instigator

Everyday

1. A person who starts something, especially trouble such as a fight, argument or protest. tree →
2. A person who causes an action or plan to begin: the instigator of the idea. tree →

In the lessons

In school and stories, the instigator is the one who started the trouble — «who was the instigator of the food fight?» In history lessons, instigators started revolts or protests. Phrases: the instigator of, chief instigator.

Examples

• The teacher wanted to know who was the instigator of the snowball fight. tree →
• He was the instigator of the plan to build a treehouse. tree →
• The instigators of the riot were arrested. tree →
• She was the instigator of our class charity sale. tree →
• Don't be the instigator of unkind games. tree →
• In the story, the fox was the instigator of every trick in the farmyard. tree →
• Unprepared for this sudden attack he admitted his guilt, but pointed to the wife of Xuthus as the instigator of the crime. tree →

Note

Verb «instigate» (to start something); noun «instigation». Usually about starting trouble, but can be neutral.