noun
provocateur
Provocateur (noun) means someone who deliberately says or does things to stir up a reaction, argument, or controversy. Example: “The columnist built his career as a provocateur, courting outrage with every article.”
noun
1
Someone who deliberately says or does things to stir up a reaction, argument, or controversy.
"The columnist built his career as a provocateur, courting outrage with every article."
2
An undercover agent who encourages people under suspicion to commit a crime so they can be caught.
"Police later admitted the man had been an agent provocateur planted to incite violence."
How to use provocateur
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA person who stirs up trouble or controversy on purpose, sometimes as an undercover tactic.
Common pairings
agent provocateur
political provocateur
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like provocateur.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- provocateurs
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The columnist built his career as a _____, courting outrage with every article.
Etymology
Borrowed directly from French provocateur, "one who provokes," from the verb provoquer.
Synonyms
View more →
agent provocateur
Rhymes for provocateur
See all rhymes for provocateur →Frequently asked questions
What does “provocateur” mean?
The word “provocateur” means someone who deliberately says or does things to stir up a reaction, argument, or controversy. In plain terms, a person who stirs up trouble or controversy on purpose, sometimes as an undercover tactic.
How do you use “provocateur” in a sentence?
Here is “provocateur” used in a sentence: “The columnist built his career as a provocateur, courting outrage with every article.”
What part of speech is “provocateur”?
“Provocateur” is a noun.
Where does the word “provocateur” come from?
The word “provocateur” comes from French. Borrowed directly from French provocateur, "one who provokes," from the verb provoquer.
How many meanings does “provocateur” have?
“Provocateur” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: someone who deliberately says or does things to stir up a reaction, argument, or controversy.
