adjective

unprovoked

uhnp-ruh-VOHKT

Unprovoked (adjective) means happening without any prior action to cause it. Example: “Witnesses said the attack was completely unprovoked.”

adjective

Happening without any prior action to cause it.

"Witnesses said the attack was completely unprovoked."

How to use unprovoked

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishDone for no reason — nothing prompted it.

Common pairings

unprovoked attack entirely unprovoked

more unprovoked comparative, more unprovoked comparative, most unprovoked superlative, most unprovoked superlative

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Witnesses said the attack was completely _____.

From un- + provoked.

cooked smoked choked hooked looked stoked crooked spooked stroked overcooked overlooked overbooked

What does “unprovoked” mean?

The word “unprovoked” means happening without any prior action to cause it. In plain terms, done for no reason — nothing prompted it.

How do you pronounce “unprovoked”?

“Unprovoked” is pronounced uhnp-ruh-VOHKT (/ˌʌnpɹəˈvoʊkt/ in IPA).

How do you use “unprovoked” in a sentence?

Here is “unprovoked” used in a sentence: “Witnesses said the attack was completely unprovoked.”

What part of speech is “unprovoked”?

“Unprovoked” is an adjective.