unprovoked

adjective

un·​pro·​voked ˌən-prə-ˈvōkt How to pronounce unprovoked (audio)
: 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The crown jewel of the Constitution entrusts the war power exclusively to Congress because of the propensity of the executive branch for unprovoked aggression to aggrandize power. Bruce Fein, Baltimore Sun, 4 Jan. 2026 Anton Aleshin, a 29-year-old medical student, was arrested in connection to the unprovoked attack. Andrew Ramos, CBS News, 3 Jan. 2026 The attack was completely unprovoked, cops said. Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 2 Jan. 2026 The customer said the attack was unprovoked, according to the criminal complaint. Peter Passi, Twin Cities, 29 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for unprovoked

Word History

First Known Use

1534, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of unprovoked was in 1534

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Cite this Entry

“Unprovoked.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unprovoked. Accessed 6 Jan. 2026.

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