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
Such examples suggest that, rather than finding new ways to conceal ourselves, Americans need to reimagine the naked body—seeing it not as a provocation, but as a natural fact of human life.
—
Jacob Beckert, The Atlantic, 13 Nov. 2025
They were held in bondage, forced to labor long hours with no pay, provided inadequate food and shelter, and under threat of physical abuse or even death at the slightest provocation.
—Big Think, 13 Nov. 2025
Lawrence even has anxiety that the enduring fandom around both franchises may color viewers' expectations of Die My Love, the latest provocation from Scottish auteur Lynne Ramsay.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Nov. 2025
After building a career on provocation, he's managed to rebrand as the right’s voice of reason.
—Newsweek Staff, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for provocation
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Jacob Beckert, The Atlantic, 13 Nov. 2025
They were held in bondage, forced to labor long hours with no pay, provided inadequate food and shelter, and under threat of physical abuse or even death at the slightest provocation.
—Big Think, 13 Nov. 2025
Lawrence even has anxiety that the enduring fandom around both franchises may color viewers' expectations of Die My Love, the latest provocation from Scottish auteur Lynne Ramsay.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Nov. 2025
After building a career on provocation, he's managed to rebrand as the right’s voice of reason.
—Newsweek Staff, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for provocation
Cite this Entry
“Provocation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/provocation. Accessed 20 Nov. 2025.
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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