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.
On August 22, she was attacked while on a Charlotte light train in what police described as an unprovoked stabbing. Marni Rose McFall, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Oct. 2025 Detectives determined the attack was likely unprovoked and that Brooks didn’t know the teacher, officers said. Paloma Chavez, Sacbee.com, 24 Oct. 2025 Potentially dangerous or dangerous dogs are those who have, when unprovoked, caused injury and harm to another animal or person in an aggressive manner. Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 21 Oct. 2025 In their preliminary investigation, homicide detectives determined that multiple unidentified suspects fired handguns inside the bar in what appears to be an unprovoked shooting, police said. Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Oct. 2025 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

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Cite this Entry

“Unprovoked.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unprovoked. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.

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