ENGLISH
REFERENCE

unprovoked

adj.
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˌənpɹəˈvoʊkt// UK //ʌnpɹəvˈəʊkt// un·pro·voked

adj. happening without any reason or warning. You use this to describe an action that is sudden and unexpected, especially if it is rude or violent.

adj. occurring without any prior cause or warning; lacking a logical or justifiable reason. Often used to describe aggressive or hostile behavior that appears to be spontaneous.


SIMPLE

He was surprised by the unprovoked attack.

CONTEXTUAL

The dog gave an unprovoked bark at the mailman, even though the man had never done anything to it.

COMPLEX

The diplomat was taken aback by the unprovoked criticism from the committee, which seemed to ignore the months of careful preparation that had led to the summit.

Synonyms
Origin

From un- + provoked.

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