Peace and tranquillity aren’t everyone’s idea of a good time.
So, what can you call a person who delights in starting a fight?
We’ve provided a list of suitable terms below. So, read on to learn more!
Words for a Person Who Likes to Cause Conflict
- Stirrer
- Instigator
- Troublemaker
- Agitator
- Confrontational
- Inflammatory
- Inciteful
- Malefactor
- Provocateur
- Antagonist
- Troll
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- A good word for someone who likes to cause conflict is “stirrer,” since they stir up trouble between people.
- You can call someone who starts chaos or incites others to take rebellious actions an “instigator.”
- A “troublemaker” causes trouble either on purpose or by accident.
Keep reading to see a more in-depth discussion of our top three terms for someone who likes to cause conflict.
We’ll even show you how to use each of our choices in some helpful example sentences!
Stirrer
If you’re looking for a good term for someone who likes to cause conflict between other people, one of the best names for such a person is “stirrer.”
According to the Cambridge Dictionary, a “stirrer” is “a person who intentionally causes trouble between other people.”
After all, this term creates the image of water in a pot. When you stir that water, you cause ripples. This is a good analogy for human interactions!
There are many ways that a “stirrer” might operate in a social space. Oftentimes, “stirrers” are very sneaky and try to look uninvolved in a conflict despite being its cause.
One of the ways “stirrers” stir up tension between people at work or within their friend group is by spreading rumors or misrepresenting things one person has told them about another person.
Essentially, “stirrers” aim to create misunderstandings between people so that they can enjoy the show when things come to a head!
To see this term in action, have a look at these example sentences:
You mustn’t listen to Joffrey; he’s a well-known stirrer.
Don’t be such a stirrer, Janine!
Instigator
The Cambridge Dictionary defines an “instigator” as “a person who causes something to happen, especially something bad.”
From this definition, we can see that the term “instigator” has inherently negative connotations.
In other words, although to instigate something simply means to start something or set something in motion, it is used most frequently when referring to a person who causes conflict or some other form of trouble.
Like a “stirrer,” an instigator tends to deliberately provoke disagreement or unrest amongst people, usually because they want to prompt others into taking some kind of action.
The best way to understand how to use the term “instigator” in context is to see it in a couple of examples:
The instigator of the brawl was apprehended later that evening only a few blocks away from the scene.
Having heard her opinions on authority, I would not be surprised to find out that she had become the instigator of some rebellion.
Troublemaker
Another word for someone who likes conflict is “troublemaker.”
According to Merriam-Webster, a “troublemaker” is “a person who consciously or unconsciously causes trouble.”
Therefore, a troublemaker could be someone who unintentionally creates tension between people by being thoughtless in their words or actions.
However, a “troublemaker” is usually someone who deliberately and habitually causes difficulties by inciting conflict between people, or between people and authorities.
There are a number of reasons why a person may be a “troublemaker.” After all, we all know a person who likes to cause drama for the fun of it.
However, some of the great rebels throughout history were called “troublemakers” by those in power.
So, when you hear the word “troublemaker” being thrown about, it’s essential to consider the source!
See how we’ve used this word in some examples:
Daphne was always a troublemaker at school, and her teachers feared her influence on the younger grades.
He’s nothing but a troublemaker looking to tear our friendship apart.