unprovoked

adjective

un·​pro·​voked ˌən-prə-ˈvōkt How to pronounce unprovoked (audio)
: occurring without any identifiable cause or justification : not provoked
an unprovoked assault/attack
unprovoked anger

Examples of unprovoked in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Macron has sought to position himself as a mediator in the war that began in February of 2022 when Russia launched an unprovoked attack on Ukraine. Francesca Chambers, USA TODAY, 7 Dec. 2024 On Monday, three people were stabbed to death in the string of unprovoked knife attacks, which spanned from Chelsea to Kips Bay to near the United Nations. Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 22 Nov. 2024 The Florida Museum of Natural History’s International Shark Attack File recorded 69 unprovoked bites and 22 provoked bites last year worldwide. Dennis Romero, NBC News, 2 Nov. 2024 The call for an arms embargo comes amid Israel's war with Hamas in Gaza following the terror group's unprovoked attack on Oct. 7, 2023, and its military operations in Lebanon, following a year of rocket fire from Hezbollah, which is backed by Iran. Louis Casiano, Fox News, 15 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for unprovoked 

Word History

First Known Use

1534, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of unprovoked was in 1534

Dictionary Entries Near unprovoked

Cite this Entry

“Unprovoked.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unprovoked. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on unprovoked

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!