provocateur

[ pruh-vok-uh-tur, -toor; French praw-vaw-ka-tœr ]

noun

, plural pro·vo·ca·teurs [pr, uh, -vok-, uh, -, turz, -, toorz, p, r, aw-vaw-k, a, -, tœr].

1. a person who provokes trouble, causes dissension, or the like; agitator.
2. (italics) French. agent provocateur.

provocateur

/ prəˌvɒkəˈtɜː /

noun

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of provocateur¹

1915–20; < French < Latin prōvocātor challenger, appellant, equivalent to provocā ( re ) to provoke + -tor -tor

Example Sentences

“Feel free to correct me when I am wrong. Ultimately, it’s about being a provocateur of dialogue.”

From Los Angeles Times

But the idea of handling such a gleeful provocateur with kid gloves seems to somehow miss the point of De Palma’s work.

From Los Angeles Times

Republicans are warning that Trump’s "provocateur" tactics and personal attacks against Vice President Kamala Harris threaten his chances of winning the presidential election in November.

From Salon

So beyond the professional provocateurs in Washington and the right-wing media, Republicans have decided to say as little as possible.

From New York Times

Right-wing media provocateur and former Trump official Steve Bannon, who has cultivated White as a political ally, claimed that though White is a "very flawed instrument," many similar MAGA-aligned candidates "have done pretty well."

From Salon

Related Words

• anarchist
• demagogue
• firebrand
• malcontent
• propagandist
• protestor
• radical
• troublemaker
• zealot