instigators
nounUK /ˈɪn.stɪ.ɡeɪ.təz/
US /ˈɪn.stə.ɡeɪ.tɚz/
People who start something, like a fight or a plan.
The teacher caught the instigators of the food fight in the cafeteria.
RELATED WORDS
OTHER MEANINGS
2. People who urge or stir others to do something, often something bad.
The police were looking for the instigators of the riot.
3. People who bring an idea or action into being.
She was one of the instigators of the school's recycling program.
4. People who provoke or incite a reaction or event.
The instigators of the prank were given a warning.