unprovoked

Everyday

An unprovoked attack or action happens without any reason, when the other person did nothing to cause it. tree →

In the lessons

In news, history and safety it describes violence or attacks that came out of nowhere. In school it can describe hitting or unkindness with no cause. Phrases: an unprovoked attack, completely unprovoked.

Examples

• The dog's bite was unprovoked; the boy had not touched it. tree →
• Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 was widely described as unprovoked. tree →
• The teacher said the push was unprovoked and unfair. tree →
• Shark attacks on people are rare, and unprovoked ones are rarer still. tree →
• It was an unprovoked insult. tree →
• The court heard it was an unprovoked assault. tree →

Note

Made from un- + provoked (provoke = to cause someone to react, often angrily). Used mostly about attacks and insults.