PROVOCATEUR Synonyms: 47 Similar and Opposite Words

provocateur

noun

prō-ˌvä-kə-ˈtər

Definition of provocateur

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

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.

Recent Examples of provocateur British provocateur Milo Yiannopoulos – who built his career in America through controversial public speaking that appealed to the far right, including calls for aggressive immigration enforcement – now faces deportation from the United States. — Eduardo Cuevas, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2026 Donalds defeated several primary challengers, including far-right online provocateur James Fishback. — Caroline Linton, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026 The wedding photos will be taken by Juergen Teller, the provocateur known for his artfully stark images. — Gaby Wood, Vogue, 16 Aug. 2026 On Sunday, James Fishback, an upstart provocateur running in the GOP primary for governor, is expected at multiple stops in South Florida. — Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 15 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for provocateur

Recent Examples of Synonyms for provocateur

Noun

The attack comes as Colombia’s conservative government changes the nation’s security strategy and takes a more confrontational approach towards gangs and rebel groups.

— ABC News, ABC News, 27 Oct. 2026
The blast comes amid President Abelardo de la Espriella’s tougher security strategy, which includes ending rebel talks and renewing operations against gangs and armed groups.

— Manuel Rueda, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of rebel

Noun

The list is based on data provided to the trade publication Pollstar by concert promoters and venue managers.

— ABC News, ABC News, 23 Oct. 2026
Why concert tickets keep getting more expensive Artists, promoters, venues, and ticketing platforms all take a cut of each ticket.

— James LaForge, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of promoter

Noun

Scores of pages of planning documents and social media posts analyzed by Fox News Digital reveal that agitators have laid the groundwork for a coordinated campaign with money, logistics and a communications infrastructure behind their efforts.

— Asra Q. Nomani, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026
An agitator jumped onto the hood of an ICE vehicle and the officer driving applied the brakes.

— Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of agitator

Noun

Some proponents of tighter regulation will accept incremental progress, while others push for more sweeping change.

— Barbara A. Trish, The Conversation, 26 Oct. 2026
Jackson, a proponent of Medicare for All, wrote Maine’s law creating the Prescription Drug Affordability Board and establishing pathways to importing cheaper drugs from Canada.

— Emma Specter, Vogue, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of proponent

Noun

The ultra-nationalist party is led by Itamar Ben-Gvir, a far-right firebrand once deemed too extreme to serve in Israel’s military.

— Eric Cortellessa, Time, 22 Oct. 2026
Cruz, a conservative firebrand, is trying to rally the party’s base in a year where Republicans fear many of their voters will stay home.

— Matthew Choi, Washington Post, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of firebrand

Noun

Polish President Karol Nawrocki forced his way into his nation’s high court as his supporters clashed against an army of police outside.

— Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 31 Oct. 2026
Harris thanked her for being a supporter of the program and players and coaches presented her with a card.

— Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of supporter

Noun

Unsheltered intertwined two plots related to the precarity of American life and the danger of demagogues—one set at the dawn of the MAGA era.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 8 Oct. 2026
Unsheltered intertwined two plots related to the precarity of American life and the danger of demagogues — one set at the dawn of the MAGA era.

— Sam Worley, Vulture, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of demagogue

Noun

In Frisco, Texas, opposition to Hindu temples and a mosque fueled claims of an Indian takeover, and a protester tore apart an Indian flag near City Hall.

— Raja Krishnamoorthi, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026
In those pages, a protester strikes an ICE officer with her car before being shot by his partner, and the officer subsequently dies.

— Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of protester

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provisos

provocateur

provocateurs

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Style

“Provocateur.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/provocateur. Accessed 3 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of provocateur

noun

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