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
She’s since parlayed that viral fame into a new life as a far-right provocateur, wholeheartedly embracing Donald Trump and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. during the 2024 campaign.
—
Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 14 Mar. 2025
Tucker Carlson, the former Fox News star now moonlighting as an anti-Western online provocateur, traveled to Romania in 2023 just to interview the influencer during his house arrest.
—Newsweek, 28 Feb. 2025
Filmmaker, actor, writer and good-natured provocateur John Waters turned 79 this week.
—Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2025
Yoko, a new biography about Ono by David Sheff, opens with a prologue about Cut Piece, introducing her—as provocateur, martyr, and social experimenter—through the lens of her own creation.
—Beatrice Loayza, ARTnews.com, 26 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for provocateur
Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 14 Mar. 2025
Tucker Carlson, the former Fox News star now moonlighting as an anti-Western online provocateur, traveled to Romania in 2023 just to interview the influencer during his house arrest.
—Newsweek, 28 Feb. 2025
Filmmaker, actor, writer and good-natured provocateur John Waters turned 79 this week.
—Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2025
Yoko, a new biography about Ono by David Sheff, opens with a prologue about Cut Piece, introducing her—as provocateur, martyr, and social experimenter—through the lens of her own creation.
—Beatrice Loayza, ARTnews.com, 26 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for provocateur
Recent Examples of Synonyms for provocateur
Noun
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Set in a crumbling Japanese metropolis rebuilt after a devastating explosion, Akira follows teenage rebels Kaneda and Tetsuo as secret government experiments unleash psychic forces capable of unmaking the world.—
Samantha Bergeson,
IndieWire,
21 May 2025
-
In response, the commanders decide to meet in Washington D.C., and Serena (Yvonne Strahovski) finally chooses a side once and for all and gives up their plan to June (Elisabeth Moss) and the fellow rebels.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
20 May 2025
Noun
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Notably, the promoter recently discontinued its popular Lawn Pass program, through which music fans paid a flat fee for a lawn ticket to every summer concert at participating amphitheaters.—
Taylor Mims,
Billboard,
14 May 2025
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In this case, the promoter is Live Nation, which annually books multiple large concerts at the home of the Nuggets and Colorado Avalanche.—
John Wenzel,
Denver Post,
13 May 2025
Noun
-
At the time anti-Israel agitators rushed into the library, students were studying for final exams.—
Adam Sabes,
FOXNews.com,
9 May 2025
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Behind this model lies a transnational alliance of libertarian think tanks, financial elites, and far-right agitators who see Argentina as a test case.—
Nicholas Creel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 May 2025
Noun
-
California’s Democratic leaders, including Newsom and top state lawmakers, have been major proponents of transitioning to renewable energy and imposing more restrictions on the state’s oil and gas industry.—
Sandra McDonald,
Los Angeles Times,
13 May 2025
-
He’s been a steadfast proponent of theatrical and a believer in its longevity — not just in franchises but also original movies.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
9 May 2025
Noun
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For her commitment, Rodrigo received the Catalyst of Change award, presented by fellow feminist firebrand Lily Allen.—
Kristen Bateman,
Vogue,
25 Apr. 2025
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In addition to the firebrand Vermont independent, the event will also feature his tour mate, Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, as well as Neil Young, Joan Baez and Maggie Rogers.—
Gil Kaufman,
Billboard,
11 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
That is undeniable, and so too is the fact that Dan Ndoye and his Bologna team-mates will forever be heroes to Bologna supporters.—
Adam Digby,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2025
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As of Wednesday, nearly 11,500 people, including current students, alumni, faculty and HBCU supporters nationwide, signed a petition opposing Johnson’s appointment, according to the Tallahassee Democrat.—
Bea L. Hines,
Miami Herald,
15 May 2025
Noun
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But responsible bi-partisan crafting when Congress still functioned cannot resist demagogues.—
Edward Lotterman,
Twin Cities,
18 May 2025
-
But critics regard him as a demagogue who relies on stoking divisions and demonizing his rivals.—
Time,
Time,
8 Apr. 2025
Noun
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As threats from insurgents faded, crackdowns by an authoritarian government surged.—
Mitra Taj,
New York Times,
17 May 2025
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As a result, the new international legal architecture curbed starvation tactics in interstate wars and during occupations but stopped short of fully criminalizing the weapon, particularly when used by poorer states against insurgent groups in civil wars.—
Boyd van Dijk,
Foreign Affairs,
30 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Provocateur.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/provocateur. Accessed 27 May. 2025.
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