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
In a flash, the internet provocateur struck with a loaded punch, dropping Styles to the mat.
—
Russ Weakland, EW.com, 15 Apr. 2025
The hip hop provocateur assured worried fans that everything was OK.
—Karu F. Daniels, New York Daily News, 15 Apr. 2025
Throughout her tenure in the lower chamber, Crockett has emerged as a provocateur, boosting her profile within the Democratic party over the last year.
—Sophia Vento, The Hill, 12 Apr. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for provocateur
Russ Weakland, EW.com, 15 Apr. 2025
The hip hop provocateur assured worried fans that everything was OK.
—Karu F. Daniels, New York Daily News, 15 Apr. 2025
Throughout her tenure in the lower chamber, Crockett has emerged as a provocateur, boosting her profile within the Democratic party over the last year.
—Sophia Vento, The Hill, 12 Apr. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for provocateur
Recent Examples of Synonyms for provocateur
Noun
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Also starring Jamie Lee Curtis, the original 2003 flick found Lohan’s character — a teenage rebel who fronts a rock band called Pink Slip — magically switching bodies with her mother.—
Hannah Dailey,
Billboard,
28 May 2025
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Bo was a rebel on a motorcycle who soon fell for the rich and spirited Hope.—
Victoria Edel,
People.com,
26 May 2025
Noun
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Fever’s music partners include standout names such as Primavera Sound, Fabrik, Last Tour, Cercle and TCE Presents, while Dice is trusted by such venues, festivals, and promoters as Club Space, Newport Jazz and Folk Festival, Sonar, London’s Alexandra Palace and Rough Trade globally.—
Thania Garcia,
Variety,
5 June 2025
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Local promoters Flip Phone Events began offering drag brunches in 2015 and have since expanded into 19 other states and Washington, D.C.—
Ross Raihala,
Twin Cities,
3 June 2025
Noun
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Listen to this article Charges have been dropped against a police agitator accused of trying to break into an NYPD officer’s Brooklyn home after prosecutors reviewed video of a protest outside the cop’s house.—
Julian Roberts-Grmela,
New York Daily News,
23 May 2025
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Once the agitators calmed down, the acting president was able to get through her final points.—
Michael Dorgan,
FOXNews.com,
21 May 2025
Noun
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While proponents argue that these measures will reduce regulatory delays and bolster U.S. technological leadership, there will no doubt be concerns about potential compromises to safety and the undermining of regulatory independence.—
Garth Friesen,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2025
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But with three weeks left in the regular session, proponents are still trying to figure out what — if any — changes may move forward this year.—
Jenna Carlesso,
Hartford Courant,
23 May 2025
Noun
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The audience lapped up everything this firebrand 5-foot-tall Indian auntie had to say.—
Sarah Khan,
New York Times,
29 May 2025
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Even in a ruby red Georgia community represented by conservative firebrand and immigration hardliner Marjorie Taylor Greene in Congress, Arias Cristobal's arrest has made many uneasy.—
May 14,
CBS News,
14 May 2025
Noun
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The site, frequented by far-right supporters of the president, has been used to spread conspiracy theories.—
Neil Vigdor,
New York Times,
28 May 2025
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The special session, which will begin June 2, will prove challenging for Kehoe and other supporters of a proposal to allow state officials to negotiate public aid packages for new or upgraded stadiums for the two teams that could be worth up to 50% of the project costs.—
Jonathan Shorman,
Kansas City Star,
27 May 2025
Noun
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It can be applied to any of a number of demagogues including President Trump.—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
30 May 2025
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Their picks examine the power of demagogues, the injustices of the immigration system, the reasons protest movements have failed, and the fear of others.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
28 May 2025
Noun
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For decades, the Philippine armed forces battled insurgents in the southern reaches of the archipelago.—
ELY RATNER,
Foreign Affairs,
27 May 2025
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The insurgents have become the establishment, and the purpose of the establishment is always to protect itself.—
Chris Stirewalt,
The Hill,
23 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Provocateur.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/provocateur. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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