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
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Any judgment that the attack was preemptive or unprovoked could undermine the logic of deploying Japan's military, known as the Self-Defense Forces (SDF). Npr Staff, NPR, 19 Mar. 2026 And so this attack was totally unprovoked. Madeleine Wright, CBS News, 19 Mar. 2026 Russian armed forces launched an unprovoked attack on Ukraine in February 2022 that’s believed to have resulted in nearly 2 million casualties between the warring nations. Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 17 Mar. 2026 In February of 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine in an unprovoked attack to take over the country. Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 Mar. 2026 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 24 Mar. 2026.

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