provocation
noun
prov·o·ca·tion
ˌprä-və-ˈkā-shən 
1
: the act of provoking : incitement
2
: something that provokes, arouses, or stimulates
Examples of provocation in a Sentence
He can turn violent at the least provocation.
Her calmness in the face of repeated provocations impressed her friends.
With hardly any provocation, the crowd began to chant.
Recent Examples on the Web
The drill - seen as a show of force against North Korea - comes as tensions are rising over the North's recent launches of trash-carrying balloons toward South Korea and other provocations.
—
CBS News, 5 June 2024
The defense attorney argued this behavior qualified as provocation that rose to the level of justifying a voluntary manslaughter conviction, rather than murder.
—City News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 May 2024
Republicans, however, note that most Americans drew conclusions about Mr. Trump and Mr. Biden years ago — and that many voters are not following the former president’s provocations closely.
—Nick Corasaniti, New York Times, 28 May 2024
Ultimately, though, its provocations feel mean-spirited rather than ever truly outrageous or revelatory.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 18 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for provocation 
CBS News, 5 June 2024
The defense attorney argued this behavior qualified as provocation that rose to the level of justifying a voluntary manslaughter conviction, rather than murder.
—City News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 May 2024
Republicans, however, note that most Americans drew conclusions about Mr. Trump and Mr. Biden years ago — and that many voters are not following the former president’s provocations closely.
—Nick Corasaniti, New York Times, 28 May 2024
Ultimately, though, its provocations feel mean-spirited rather than ever truly outrageous or revelatory.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 18 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for provocation
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'provocation.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near provocation
Cite this Entry
“Provocation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/provocation. Accessed 8 Jun. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
provocation
noun
prov·o·ca·tion
ˌpräv-ə-ˈkā-shən
1
: the act of provoking
2
: something that provokes
Medical Definition
provocation
noun
prov·o·ca·tion
ˌpräv-ə-ˈkā-shən
: the act or process of provoking
a nonspecific irritant that brings about provocation of bronchial asthma
Legal Definition
provocation
noun
prov·o·ca·tion
ˌprä-və-ˈkā-shən
1
: the act of provoking
2
: something that provokes, arouses, or stimulates
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