provocateur

noun

prō-ˌvä-kə-ˈtər How to pronounce provocateur (audio)
Definition of provocateurnext
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 The faux outrage was egged on by professional right-wing provocateurs like Robby Starbuck, Benny Johnson and a leading investor in MAGA darling Steak n’ Shake. — Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 2 Aug. 2026 In the movie, out July 31, Hoffman plays fresh college grad Elliot, who lands an exciting job for renowned artist and provocateur Erika Tracy (Wilde). — Christina Perrier, InStyle, 30 July 2026 Music, Fashion, Film is a definite left-turn from the pop provocateur’s recent work, but its earnest blend of cheek and vulnerability is Charli through and through. — Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 24 July 2026 Until, that is, the play’s rather retrograde climax, when the playwright’s provocateur wildness goes limp. — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 21 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for provocateur
Recent Examples of Synonyms for provocateur
  1. rebel
  2. promoter
  3. agitator
  4. proponent
  5. firebrand
  6. supporter
  7. demagogue
  8. protester
Noun
  • In her 1974 novel The Hearing Trumpet, a nonagenarian vegetarian heroine named Marian rebels against patriarchal institutions.
    — Kelly Presutti, ARTnews.com, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Al-Sharaa ousted President Bashar al-Assad in December 2024 in an offensive led by HTS rebels.
    — Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of rebel
Noun
  • The camera spins on its own ketamine high as Peter (Firstman), party promoter extraordinaire and generous drug dealer, kicks off another evening.
    — Joshua Rothkopf, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Famed Phoenix concert promoter is selling 50 years of music history Foodies are crashing out over Michelin snub.
    — Meredith G. White, AZCentral.com, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of promoter
Noun
  • At 6-10 and 250 pounds, Freedom looks like an unfamiliar agitator.
    — Jerry Brewer, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
  • For several years before the IAU vote, there had been agitators among the astronomical community lobbying for our solar system's nine worlds to become eight, and for Pluto's planetary status to be revoked.
    — Keith Cooper, Space.com, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of agitator
Noun
  • The mere existence of such a network, proponents say, would give would-be criminals pause, knowing there’s nowhere to run without being watched.
    — Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026
  • The memo is a bit surprising considering Gates still advises Microsoft, one of the major proponents of the technology, and an investor in OpenAI.
    — Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of proponent
Noun
  • Our reading list spanned the spectrum from GOP strategist Richard Viguerie and evangelical firebrand Francis Schaeffer to academic analysts like Erling Jorstad and George Marsden.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Can Democratic firebrand Angie Nixon win in deep-red Florida?
    — Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of firebrand
Noun
  • His supporters say the condemnation is merely a sign of Crump’s skill.
    — Ryan Young, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Among those younger supporters is Matt Kelly, president of the UMass Lowell College Democrats.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of supporter
Noun
  • In recent years, totalizing ideologies such as communism, fascism, and Islamism have found dedicated audiences on social media, and the proliferation of demagogues manipulating people for malign ends is an ever-present worry.
    — James Kirchick, The Atlantic, 13 Aug. 2026
  • And as Netanyahu’s coalitions hardened Schleien’s programs became edgier, skewering Netanyahu sycophants in the Likud Party, anti-élitist demagogues, cultic settlers, and rabbinic mandarins.
    — Bernard Avishai, New Yorker, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of demagogue
Noun
  • Pretti was using his phone to record immigration agents when officers violently shoved a protester towards him, video showed.
    — Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Printed and mounted on pieces cardstock were photos of protester’s family members and immigration records which could be found at the archive.
    — Stephanie Lam, Mercury News, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of protester

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provisos
provocateur
provocateurs
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Cite this Entry

“Provocateur.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/provocateur. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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