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 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 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 See All Example Sentences for provocateur

Recent Examples of Synonyms for provocateur

Noun

The charges stemmed from fighting more than a decade ago between the predominantly Muslim Seleka rebels who seized power from then-President François Bozizé, and a mainly Christian militia called the anti-Balaka.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 24 Sep. 2026
In the south, an array of militias and armed groups arose over the years, ostensibly to back the government against the rebels.

— ABC News, ABC News, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of rebel

Noun

Puth’s representatives and the tour’s promoter have not publicly provided further details about the cancellation.

— Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 19 Sep. 2026
While promoters and venues wield great power over concert tours, experts say an artist of Sheeran's magnitude generally has the final say about what happens concerning the shows.

— ABC News, ABC News, 19 Sep. 2026

Definition of promoter

Noun

Among the agitators were the workers at Sytin’s Moscow publishing house.

— James Folta, Literary Hub, 10 Sep. 2026
In Portsmouth, a group of far-right agitators first attempted to stop lifeboats from bringing the migrants onshore before seeking to block buses from taking the asylum seekers to a processing facility.

— Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of agitator

Noun

For its proponents, a country could not be fully independent while its resources and institutions remained excessively dependent on decisions made elsewhere.

— Andre Pagliarini, The Conversation, 22 Sep. 2026
The committee would reportedly include OMB director and Project 2025 proponent Russell Vought and NIH head Jay Bhattacharya.

— Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of proponent

Noun

Their manager has not been the firebrand from the University of Tennessee that everyone expected.

— Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
The independent, nonpartisan survey by EPIC-MRA of Lansing shows El-Sayed, the former director of Detroit and Wayne County's health departments and progressive firebrand, leading Rogers 47%-43% with 10% undecided.

— Todd Spangler, Freep.com, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of firebrand

Noun

Some of the nations attending the meeting in western Ukraine's Ivano-Frankivsk region, such as Poland and Romania, have been staunch supporters of Ukraine.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 19 Sep. 2026
Some of the nations attending the meeting in western Ukraine’s Ivano-Frankivsk region, such as Poland and Romania, have been staunch supporters of Ukraine.

— Samya Kullab, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of supporter

Noun

This included understanding the history of democratic ideas and practical governance, as well as the need to protect minority groups and the dangers posed by demagogues.

— Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 1 Sep. 2026
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

Definition of demagogue

Noun

The brand also saw a higher rate of social mentions on X (Twitter) and an influx of comments on Instagram, surrounding the PETA incident involving CFDA chief executive officer Steven Kolb and a protester.

— Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 17 Sep. 2026
Dylan Kupsh, 27, emerged as a vocal UCLA protester and an outlier in the campus movement.

— Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of protester

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provocateur

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“Provocateur.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/provocateur. Accessed 25 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of provocateur

noun

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