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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Example Sentences
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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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In Syria, rebels overthrew Assad last year, Israeli strikes killed Hezbollah and Hamas’ top leaders, while Iraqi militant groups faded into the background.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
12 Oct. 2025
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In Valentin's case, his love for Molina, and in Cassian's, his love for adoptive mother, Maarva (Fiona Shaw), girlfriend Bix (Adria Arjona), and the other rebels with whom he's aligned himself.—
Maureen Lee Lenker,
Entertainment Weekly,
11 Oct. 2025
Noun
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In the article, Roufus criticized promoters who were focused on profits and lacked the experience to safely sponsor fights.—
Cleo Krejci,
jsonline.com,
18 Oct. 2025
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As promoters hit him up to bring Experts Only from Los Angeles to Japan, the final goal of his new empire is to throw parties without even playing at them.—
Jessica Coacci,
Fortune,
18 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The Boston Police Department said that agitators directly assaulted officers during the riot.—
Adam Sabes,
FOXNews.com,
11 Oct. 2025
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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
Noun
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However, proponents of the bill say the veto will result in more exposure to toxic chemicals.—
Rachel Frazin,
The Hill,
14 Oct. 2025
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Osefo, a woman of multiple degrees and a proponent of higher learning, stars in The Real Housewives of Potomac, which premiered last Sunday on Bravo.—
Armando Tinoco,
Deadline,
10 Oct. 2025
Noun
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But the Georgia firebrand pointed specifically to the issue of health care premiums, which are expected to skyrocket at the end of the year, when enhanced subsidies under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) are scheduled to expire.—
Mike Lillis,
The Hill,
12 Oct. 2025
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Like Bevan, Sheen is a Welsh firebrand unafraid to wear his leftist politics.—
Alexander Smith,
NBC news,
5 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Many of the president’s supporters have backed his moves to combat drug trade in the region, however, some Republicans, including Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky, as well as many Democrats, have expressed concern over the president’s unilateral decisions.—
Mandy Taheri,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Oct. 2025
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America’s farmers are among the president’s most dependable supporters.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
18 Oct. 2025
Noun
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What are my rights as a protester in California?—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
15 Oct. 2025
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At least one protester filed a complaint against Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, saying an officer hit her in the throat with a bike handle and police refused to give her his name.—
Julia Coin,
Charlotte Observer,
7 Oct. 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 19 Oct. 2025.
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