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 Donalds defeated several primary challengers, including far-right online provocateur James Fishback. — Caroline Linton, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for provocateur

Recent Examples of Synonyms for provocateur

Noun

The Saudis did not blame any party for the attacks, but Houthi rebels took credit earlier for the airport strikes.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 8 Oct. 2026
Attacks by the Houthis, the Yemeni rebel group, on commercial shipping in the Red Sea over the last three years have pushed major carriers around the Cape of Good Hope, boosting traffic at ports along Africa’s southern and western coasts.

— Jared Cohen, Foreign Affairs, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of rebel

Noun

Messina Touring Group, the promoter, said that Kraft — a friend of Sheeran — would not allow the tour to play his venues if Macklemore remained on the bill.

— Chris Willman, Variety, 3 Oct. 2026
Two vocal supporters of Democratic gubernatorial hopeful Xavier Becerra filed a formal campaign finance complaint against his rival, Steve Hilton, on Tuesday over the Republican campaign’s use of paid online promoters.

— Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of promoter

Noun

The incident came as agitators against immigration adopt a confrontational new tactic of trying to stop the boats landing on England’s shores, clashing with police and rescue workers in the process.

— Jill Lawless, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2026
Among the agitators were the workers at Sytin’s Moscow publishing house.

— James Folta, Literary Hub, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of agitator

Noun

On the other side of the campaign, John Adams was labeled by Jefferson's proponents as a monarchist with aspirations to become king of the new United States.

— Cal Thomas, Arkansas Online, 6 Oct. 2026
Curiously, few of these proponents ever mention the New York Mets and their spending.

— Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of proponent

Noun

One was a $750,000 donation to the California Republican Party and the other a $100,000 check to Reform California, the political organization run by firebrand conservative Assemblymember Carl DeMaio, R-Valley Center.

— Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 30 Sep. 2026
Mélenchon, 75, a veteran anti-capitalist firebrand, finished third in the 2022 presidential election and fourth in both 2017 and 2012.

— ABC News, ABC News, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of firebrand

Noun

Other supporters argue that adding the ban to the Missouri Constitution would strengthen it.

— Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 2 Oct. 2026
Two vocal supporters of Democratic gubernatorial hopeful Xavier Becerra filed a formal campaign finance complaint against his rival, Steve Hilton, on Tuesday over the Republican campaign’s use of paid online promoters.

— Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of supporter

Noun

Unsheltered intertwined two plots related to the precarity of American life and the danger of demagogues — one set at the dawn of the MAGA era.

— Sam Worley, Vulture, 5 Oct. 2026
The country is in a fix about as bad as any demagogue is likely to put it in.

— J. B. MacKinnon, Harpers Magazine, 22 Sep. 2026

Definition of demagogue

Noun

One protester attended the demonstration dressed as a character from The Handmaid’s Tale, a dystopian television series about women in a patriarchal society.

— Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 8 Oct. 2026
During the second protester’s interruptions, Vance stressed the difference between Democrats and Republicans on issues such as policing and education.

— Mabinty Quarshie, The Washington Examiner, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of protester

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provisos

provocateur

provocateurs

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“Provocateur.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/provocateur. Accessed 10 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of provocateur

noun

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