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.
The Bahamas, a range of over 700 islands, has one of the world's highest rates of unprovoked shark attacks. — Kerry Breen, CBS News, 24 June 2026 The Bahamas accounted for five of the unprovoked shark bites recorded last year, according to the file, though none of the five were fatal. — Mason Leib, ABC News, 24 June 2026 Then, on top of the tariff policies, which are very inflationary, the unprovoked Iranian war increased energy prices. — Erik Sherman, Forbes.com, 13 June 2026 An unprovoked shark attack is defined by ISAF as when a shark bites a human in its own habitat without any provocation by the human. — Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 25 June 2026 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

Rhymes for unprovoked

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Browse Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

“Unprovoked.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unprovoked. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on unprovoked

Nglish: Translation of unprovoked for Spanish Speakers

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