as in agitators
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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Recent Examples of provocateurs
Alliances with independents and provocateurs can bring younger crowds to the traditional news fold in an era when such viewership is not guaranteed.
—
Brian Steinberg, Variety, 20 Apr. 2026
For 15 years as a member of French psych pop provocateurs La Femme, Magnée and band members were walking billboards for retro chic fashion.
—Selena Fragassi, SPIN, 14 Apr. 2026
The character of McCrum’s images is also quite different than that of the ones in the fictional Brainrot, whose sleek, sensual images recall the highly polished work of provocateurs like Torbjørn Rødland and Heji Shin.
—Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 13 Apr. 2026
Lost in all the heated rhetoric is the fact that so much of this turmoil would have been avoided if federal detainers were simply honored within local jails and state prisons — away from the public and professional provocateurs who are drawn to uncivil cultural conflict like bees to honey.
—Bob Ehrlich, Baltimore Sun, 10 Mar. 2026
The pair of social media provocateurs post their bizarre arguments and interactions with everyday New Yorkers, which usually end with them being chased down the street and out of bodegas and residential buildings.
—Rebecca White, New York Daily News, 27 Feb. 2026
There were right-wing provocateurs coming to town.
—Anne Applebaum, The Atlantic, 6 Feb. 2026
Third parties, which are usually based on fringe views or a sense of grievance, are vehicles for ideologues, provocateurs and contrarians whose appeal is as limited as their problem-solving skills.
—Newsweek Contributors, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Nov. 2025
Charlie Kirk was one of the right's preeminent provocateurs, often delving into contentious territory.
—Zac Anderson, USA Today, 18 Sep. 2025
Brian Steinberg, Variety, 20 Apr. 2026
For 15 years as a member of French psych pop provocateurs La Femme, Magnée and band members were walking billboards for retro chic fashion.
—Selena Fragassi, SPIN, 14 Apr. 2026
The character of McCrum’s images is also quite different than that of the ones in the fictional Brainrot, whose sleek, sensual images recall the highly polished work of provocateurs like Torbjørn Rødland and Heji Shin.
—Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 13 Apr. 2026
Lost in all the heated rhetoric is the fact that so much of this turmoil would have been avoided if federal detainers were simply honored within local jails and state prisons — away from the public and professional provocateurs who are drawn to uncivil cultural conflict like bees to honey.
—Bob Ehrlich, Baltimore Sun, 10 Mar. 2026
The pair of social media provocateurs post their bizarre arguments and interactions with everyday New Yorkers, which usually end with them being chased down the street and out of bodegas and residential buildings.
—Rebecca White, New York Daily News, 27 Feb. 2026
There were right-wing provocateurs coming to town.
—Anne Applebaum, The Atlantic, 6 Feb. 2026
Third parties, which are usually based on fringe views or a sense of grievance, are vehicles for ideologues, provocateurs and contrarians whose appeal is as limited as their problem-solving skills.
—Newsweek Contributors, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Nov. 2025
Charlie Kirk was one of the right's preeminent provocateurs, often delving into contentious territory.
—Zac Anderson, USA Today, 18 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for provocateurs
Noun
-
On May 3, 1886, violent agitators at the McCormick Harvesting Machine Company clashed with police, who opened fire on the crowd, killing at least two, according to reports.—
Preston Mizell,
FOXNews.com,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Birdbaths that have small fountains or agitators also keep the water rippling.—
Joan Morris,
Mercury News,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The rebels attempting to take over Mali are said to be jihadists from the Nusrat al-Islam (GSIM/JNIM) linked with the tribesmen of the FLA and other groups, including at least one linked with Islamic State.—
Paul Tilsley,
FOXNews.com,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Security is a major concern for mining companies looking to enter DR Congo and has held back the development of extractive industries in Africa’s second-largest nation by land mass, which for years has fought rebels in the east of the country.—
semafor.com,
semafor.com,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
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That song’s twangful snarl — wonderfully sung by Clark, a star recording artist in her own right — is a reminder that these insurgents are also preservationists, capable of delivering old-fashioned pleasures to please the purists.—
New York Times,
New York Times,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Since insurgents ousted former President Bashar Assad in December 2024, dozens of members of his security agencies that were blamed for atrocities during the conflict have been arrested.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
After the Met announced the Bezoses’ participation, many social media users — who are the Met Gala’s most enthusiastic promoters, tuning into Vogue’s livestream and analyzing looks for days afterwards — called for a boycott.—
Rachel Tashjian,
CNN Money,
1 May 2026
-
Indeed, the World Bank was one of the main promoters of this argument.—
Hettie O'Brien,
The Dial,
21 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Whitecaps rally Outside the FIFA Congress was a small rally of about 100 supporters of the Vancouver Whitecaps, protesting the possible relocation of the Major League Soccer team.—
Anne M. Peterson,
Chicago Tribune,
1 May 2026
-
Family members, coaches, friends and other supporters of the finalists and scholarship program are welcome to request a ticket to attend.—
Elizabeth Marie Himchak,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Does the rise of right-wing demagogues offer chilling parallels to the Pinochet era?—
Christopher Vourlias,
Variety,
22 Apr. 2026
-
Leftist demagogues specialize in lose-lose-lose policies.—
Editorial,
Boston Herald,
6 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
And though conservatives alone did not create this state of affairs, many were key proponents of a vision of politics centered on one commanding figure—a vision that is now destabilizing our country.—
Gregg Nunziata,
The Atlantic,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Earlier this month, the lawmakers and groups opposed to Restore Our Roads sent letters urging proponents to withdraw the initiative.—
Bruce Finley,
Denver Post,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
All of that would be intriguing even if the founders of Deep Voodoo weren’t South Park instigators Trey Parker and Matt Stone.—
Steven Zeitchik,
HollywoodReporter,
31 Mar. 2026
-
In 2001, the United States and its allies stormed into Afghanistan, aiming to destroy the Taliban and round up the instigators of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.—
Nolan Finley,
Twin Cities,
6 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Provocateurs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/provocateurs. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
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