as in agitators
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
Relevance
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 provocateurs
Charlie Kirk was one of the right's preeminent provocateurs, often delving into contentious territory.
—
Zac Anderson, USA Today, 18 Sep. 2025
Given the peculiar recent musings of provocateurs like Tucker Carlson, the speech was timelier than ever.
—Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025
So instead of making these obvious points to union provocateurs such as Davis Gates, our political leaders treat her with kid gloves.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 24 Aug. 2025
Zac Anderson, USA Today, 18 Sep. 2025
Given the peculiar recent musings of provocateurs like Tucker Carlson, the speech was timelier than ever.
—Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025
So instead of making these obvious points to union provocateurs such as Davis Gates, our political leaders treat her with kid gloves.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 24 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for provocateurs
Noun
-
Leading Arab agitators, Husseini among them, fomented anti-Jewish violence, hoping to sway British opinion away from creating a Jewish state.—
Sean Durns,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Some agitators—likely external infiltrators—pushed the protesters forward, tearing down barricades as chants intensified.—
Sonal Nain,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The rebels also cited the need to take out the massive scam operations as justification for their offensive – which analysts say China likely greenlit.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
30 Sep. 2025
-
The rebels, led by Deepak Rauniyar and Binod Paudel, fired off a scathing letter to the Academy demanding a full investigation and threatening to blow up Nepal’s Oscar dreams entirely.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
27 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Labels matter Security analysts say the situation in Haiti continues to defy clear international legal characterization and the choice of labels – crisis, armed conflict, gangs, terrorist groups, armed groups, criminal groups, insurgents – carries significant legal and humanitarian implications.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
26 Sep. 2025
-
This might enable a mission which, for example, a Viper is located covertly next to a safe house known to be used by insurgents.—
David Hambling,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The conventional wisdom, shared by event promoters and many at the university, held that the 1920s-era facility just wasn’t equipped for the demands of a big concert production.—
Brian McCollum,
Freep.com,
25 Sep. 2025
-
The wrestling industry is founded upon innovation, so the multi-time world champion put the onus on independent promoters to figure things out.—
Armon Sadler,
VIBE.com,
22 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The 19-year-old midfielder was the subject of negative comments from a minority of supporters following his performance during the Tyneside club’s 0-0 draw at Bournemouth last Sunday.—
Steven Louis Goldstein,
New York Times,
28 Sep. 2025
-
Oregon defensive back Dylan Thieneman pulled in a game-sealing interception in overtime, ensuring Kirk's favorite team won in front of thousands of supporters wearing his signature shirt.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
28 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
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
-
Our shrinking attention span has left us vulnerable to demagogues and misinformation from every direction.—
Doug McIntyre,
Oc Register,
31 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Eide and other proponents of expanding hospitalization believe the administration could do even more.—
Nathaniel Meyersohn,
CNN Money,
30 Sep. 2025
-
Closure of the bike path to undertake this project has drawn opposition from cycling proponents and West Sacramento Mayor Martha Guerrero.—
Ishani Desai,
Sacbee.com,
28 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Naming an interstate war based on the state in which the war is fought – while omitting the name of outside instigators – implies the culpability of that state.—
Esther Brito Ruiz,
The Conversation,
5 Sep. 2025
-
One of the main instigators, Starboard Value, is back for more.—
Jordan Novet,
CNBC,
2 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Provocateurs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/provocateurs. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share