# initiator vs instigator

> English confusable word pair

## The two words

### initiator
*noun · frequency rank #40,750*
One who initiates.

### instigator
*noun · IPA /ˈɪnstɪɡeɪtə/ · frequency rank #43,718*
A person who intentionally instigates, incites, or starts something, especially one that creates trouble.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/vs/initiator-vs-instigator