provocation

noun

prov·​o·​ca·​tion ˌprä-və-ˈkā-shən 

1

: the act of provoking : incitement

2

: something that provokes, arouses, or stimulates

Synonyms

• excitement
• incitation
• incitement
• instigation

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

In the face of such provocations, Moscow had to choose between accelerating the arms race and pursuing arms control. —Amy J. Nelson, Foreign Affairs, 22 July 2024

The stranger lunged at the victim with a sharp object without any provocation, slashing his neck, cops said. —Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 13 July 2024

Some analysts had warned me that North Korea might use this new Russian leverage to launch new provocations. —David Ignatius, Washington Post, 4 July 2024

The Gallup Global Emotions Report for 2024, released last Tuesday, starts with a provocation. —Oshan Jarow, Vox, 3 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English provocacioun, from Anglo-French provocacion, from Latin provocation-, provocatio, from provocare

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids 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