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Showing results for provocateur.
Definitions

provocateur

[pruh-vok-uh-tur, -toor, praw-vaw-ka-tœr] / prəˌvɒk əˈtɜr, -ˈtʊər, prɔ vɔ kaˈtœr /
NOUN
agent provocateur
Synonyms
WEAK
agitator firebrand goad incendiary instigator intelligence agent noncooperator operative provocative agent provoker rabble-rouser radical ringleader spark spy troublemaker
NOUN
agitator
Synonyms
STRONGEST
anarchist demagogue firebrand malcontent propagandist protestor radical troublemaker zealot
STRONG
dissident dogmatist fighter fomenter incendiary inciter instigator mover partisan rabble-rouser rebel revisionist revolutionary ringleader
WEAK
disrupter sparkplug wave maker
Antonyms
STRONGEST
moderate
NOUN
inciter
Synonyms
STRONG
advocate agent anarchist champion demagogue dissident fighter firebrand fomenter heretic incendiary instigator leftist malcontent mover partisan propagandist pusher rabble-rouser radical reactionary rebel reformer revisionist revolutionary ringleader troublemaker zealot
WEAK
disrupter sparkplug wave maker
Antonyms
STRONG
moderate peacemaker
NOUN
instigator
Synonyms
STRONGEST
ringleader
STRONG
agitator firebrand hellion incendiary inciter knave meddler mischief-maker nuisance punk rabble-rouser
WEAK
agent provocateur inflamer sparkplug wise guy

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

By God, let’s go with indie provocateur Gregg Araki’s conception of him: Robert Redford, a titan who hatched an independent film festival from his head like he was Zeus and passed away this September.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 25, 2026

Witty and mischievous, a punster and provocateur, Man Ray excelled as a photographer, filmmaker and object-maker.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 27, 2025

Reckzeh had been set up as a spy and agent provocateur by the Gestapo: Thadden had been fooled by his elaborately constructed cover story.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 19, 2025

Right-wing provocateur Dinesh D’Souza — an Indian-American who was raised Catholic but became a born-again Christian — has also faced racist attacks.

From Salon • Oct. 21, 2025

Some provocateur was behind it all, and the children could hardly be blamed—at least, not entirely.

From "The Hidden Gallery" by Maryrose Wood

Vocabulary lists containing provocateur

Ender's Game

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