as in rebel
a person who stirs up public feelings especially of discontent
a calculating provocateur, she has made a career out of controversy for its own sake
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Recent Examples of provocateur
Kirk was a provocateur who at times made statements that some called racist, misogynistic, anti-immigrant and transphobic.
—
Aamer Madhani, Fortune, 21 Sep. 2025
The lariat is the sultry provocateur of the jewelry world, known for its ultra feminine design that elongates the neck and draws attention to the décolletage.
—Samantha Solomon, Vogue, 18 Sep. 2025
The driving force behind the event was a far-right activist and provocateur known as Tommy Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon.
—Niall Stanage, The Hill, 16 Sep. 2025
Conservative influencers including Chaya Raichik, author of the anti-trans hate account LibsOfTikTok, trashed those teams while commending those that asked their crowds to pause and reflect on the late provocateur.
—Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for provocateur
Aamer Madhani, Fortune, 21 Sep. 2025
The lariat is the sultry provocateur of the jewelry world, known for its ultra feminine design that elongates the neck and draws attention to the décolletage.
—Samantha Solomon, Vogue, 18 Sep. 2025
The driving force behind the event was a far-right activist and provocateur known as Tommy Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon.
—Niall Stanage, The Hill, 16 Sep. 2025
Conservative influencers including Chaya Raichik, author of the anti-trans hate account LibsOfTikTok, trashed those teams while commending those that asked their crowds to pause and reflect on the late provocateur.
—Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for provocateur
Recent Examples of Synonyms for provocateur
Noun
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Alcalá has pleaded guilty to collaborating with Colombia’s FARC rebels.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
2 Oct. 2025
-
The rebels also cited the need to take out the massive scam operations as justification for their offensive – which analysts say China likely greenlit.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
30 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Together, O’Neill and Alicia navigate a rabbit hole of deranged folk singers, psychotic cops, boxing promoters, line dancing enthusiasts, and worst of all, podcasters, the truth blurs, bodies stack, and the nature of their search comes into question.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
3 Oct. 2025
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American baseball promoters were quick to see the potential of the Japanese market, touring the country as early as 1908.—
Jared Bahir Browsh,
The Conversation,
2 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The cases range from political agitators seeking to intimidate immigrants to others using the guise of authority to allegedly kidnap, rob or assault victims.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN Money,
3 Oct. 2025
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Country music’s premier agitator, Gavin Adcock, is also on the lineup.—
Joseph Hudak,
Rolling Stone,
25 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Massive Attack have also joined a separate but parallel drive to pull music from Spotify altogether; proponents of that movement primarily cite founder Daniel Ek’s investment in weapons contractor Helsing, which is not linked to Israel.—
Jazz Monroe,
Pitchfork,
6 Oct. 2025
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With Newsom’s signature now on AB 1340, drivers can collectively bargain and unionize, including negotiating contracts, which would set industry-wide standards, according to proponents like bill sponsors Assemblymembers Marc Berman, D-Menlo Park, and Buffy Wicks, D-Oakland.—
David Lightman,
Sacbee.com,
6 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Labour has slumped to around 20% in recent polls, while Reform UK – the upstart hard-right party led by firebrand Nigel Farage – has surged to around 35%, the same share that Labour won last year.—
Christian Edwards,
CNN Money,
30 Sep. 2025
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The clearest firebrand of the group is Suzanne (Mia Barron), whose patronizing politeness will eventually give way to rage once her views are challenged.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
24 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Back in the 1920s, even the Soviet leader Vladimir Lenin called on his British supporters to affiliate with the Labour Party instead of fighting it.—
Arash Azizi,
The Atlantic,
4 Oct. 2025
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No victims speak in court While the court heard several pleas from Combs’ supporters Friday, the victims who testified at trial were noticeably absent from the hearing.—
Nicki Brown,
CNN Money,
4 Oct. 2025
Noun
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One overzealous protester attempted an unsuccessful knife attack on Welles himself.—
Marlene L. Daut
September 22,
Literary Hub,
22 Sep. 2025
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Certain groups who face discrimination and harassment could level the playing field by recording their interactions with others, and at mass protests like the recent events in Nepal, seeing events from a protestor’s point of view could be valuable.—
Cortney Harding,
Forbes.com,
18 Sep. 2025
Noun
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America seems unlikely to be made great again by the demagogues of white nationalism, who cannot help but channel fury over irreversible decline at those who have been working hard, through either literal or spiritual immigration, to become American.—
Pankaj Mishra,
Harpers Magazine,
19 Sep. 2025
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Our shrinking attention span has left us vulnerable to demagogues and misinformation from every direction.—
Doug McIntyre,
Oc Register,
31 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Provocateur.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/provocateur. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
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