agent provocateur
agent provocateur — noun
1. someone who deliberately says or does things that start arguments or upset peopl
someone who deliberately says or does things that start arguments or upset people, often because they enjoy the reaction
Christopher plays the agent provocateur on every panel show to keep viewers arguing.
play the agent provocateur to provoke reactions
Defne became the office agent provocateur by mocking every new rule.
agent provocateur in a workplace conflict
At family dinner, Tunde acted as the agent provocateur on purpose.
In the class debate, Bao sounded like an agent provocateur from the start.
- troublemaker
broader everyday word for someone who causes problems; it does not always imply deliberate provocation as a role
- instigator
emphasizes starting conflict or pushing others into action, not necessarily enjoying the reaction
- troll
usually belongs to online settings and suggests attention-seeking through provocative comments
- peacemaker
someone who tries to calm conflict instead of stirring it up
文法句型
an + agent provocateur
act as the agent provocateur
用法筆記
Often used in journalism, politics, or everyday criticism for someone who keeps provoking reactions in a group. Unlike sense 2, this use does not imply secret work with police or a plan to cause arrests.
常見錯誤
2. a person working secretly for the police or government who pushes others in a gr
a person working secretly for the police or government who pushes others in a group to break the law, so they can then be arrested
Police sent an agent provocateur into the crowd before the march.
send in an agent provocateur before a protest
The union leader warned that an agent provocateur had joined the night meeting.
Bao said the loud stranger was an agent provocateur sent by police.
The agent provocateur kept telling the crowd to break store windows.
- infiltrator
emphasizes entering a group secretly; it does not by itself mean pushing people to commit crimes
- instigator
covers provoking action, but lacks the hidden political or police role
- informant
someone who secretly gives information; an agent provocateur goes further by actively encouraging illegal acts
文法句型
an + agent provocateur
send in an agent provocateur
用法筆記
Common in reports about protests, extremist groups, and undercover policing. Unlike sense 1, this meaning involves a hidden role and pressure to commit a punishable act.