noun

provocateur

noun

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."

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 notes

In plain EnglishA person who stirs up trouble or controversy on purpose, sometimes as an undercover tactic.

Common pairings

agent provocateur political provocateur

provocateurs plural

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The columnist built his career as a _____, courting outrage with every article.

Borrowed directly from French provocateur, "one who provokes," from the verb provoquer.

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