unprovoked
adjective
un·pro·voked
ˌən-prə-ˈvōkt 
: occurring without any identifiable cause or justification : not provoked
an unprovoked assault/attack
unprovoked anger
Examples of unprovoked in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In 2023, Florida had 16 unprovoked shark bite incidents reported, which represents 44% of the United States total and 23% worldwide.
—
Raja Razek, CNN, 8 June 2024
According to the Florida Museum’s International Shark Attack File, there were 69 unprovoked shark bites on humans and 22 provoked bites worldwide in 2023.
—David Chiu, Peoplemag, 7 June 2024
The unprovoked attack happened shortly before midnight Sunday, May 19, at the Sunoco station at 1201 S. Federal Hwy., said sheriff’s office spokeswoman Gerdy St. Louis.
—David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 31 May 2024
The attack appeared to be unprovoked, according to police.
—Escher Walcott, Peoplemag, 27 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for unprovoked 
Raja Razek, CNN, 8 June 2024
According to the Florida Museum’s International Shark Attack File, there were 69 unprovoked shark bites on humans and 22 provoked bites worldwide in 2023.
—David Chiu, Peoplemag, 7 June 2024
The unprovoked attack happened shortly before midnight Sunday, May 19, at the Sunoco station at 1201 S. Federal Hwy., said sheriff’s office spokeswoman Gerdy St. Louis.
—David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 31 May 2024
The attack appeared to be unprovoked, according to police.
—Escher Walcott, Peoplemag, 27 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for unprovoked
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'unprovoked.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Unprovoked.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unprovoked. Accessed 15 Jun. 2024.
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