How to pronounce instigator
Say it like IN-stuh-gay-ter. Instigator has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (IN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce instigator. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- IN
- stuh
- gay
- ter
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Instigator pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- INSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- stuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- gayGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- terKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of instigator
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: IN-stih-gay-tuh.
What does instigator mean?
- A person who intentionally instigates, incites, or starts something, especially one that creates trouble.
Where does instigator come from?
From Latin īnstīgātor (“stimulator”), from īnstīgāre (present infinitive of īnstīgō (“to incite, set on, stimulate, rouse or urge”), possibly from Proto-Indo-European *(s)teyg- (“to be sharp, to stab; to puncture; to goad”)) + -or (from -ō
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying instigator
How do you pronounce instigator?
Say IN-stuh-gay-ter. The American pronunciation is /ˈɪnstəˌɡeɪtɚ/. In British English it is /ˈɪnstɪɡeɪtə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in instigator?
Instigator has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (IN). Broken into parts: IN · stuh · gay · ter.
Is instigator pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ˈɪnstɪɡeɪtə/ (IN-stih-gay-tuh).