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View synonyms for

provocateur

[pruh-vok-uh-tur, -toor, praw-vaw-ka-ٲհ]

noun

plural

provocateurs 
  1. a person who provokes trouble, causes dissension, or the like; agitator.

  2. (italics)agent provocateur.



provocateur

/ əˌɒəˈɜː /

noun

  1. a person who deliberately behaves controversially in order to provoke argument or other strong reactions

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Word History and Origins

Origin of provocateur1

1915–20; < French < Latin ōdzٴǰ challenger, appellant, equivalent to DZdz ( re ) to provoke + -tor -tor
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

But most Republicans remained silent, or accused Padilla of being a provocateur.

From

Gardening and reading is how this provocateur prefers to spend her time these days.

From

While still set in 21st-century America, this one is based on Euripides’ “The Bacchae” — well, the one he might have written as a brilliant, fiercely feminist provocateur.

From

Iran doves and anti-Israel provocateurs tendentiously seized the opportunity to attempt to excise a convenient “hawkish” scalp — whether that be Hegseth or national security advisor Michael Waltz.

From

Leave it to dance provocateur Mark Morris to show a way forward for the national arts center.

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Provoprovocation