provocation

noun

prov·​o·​ca·​tion ˌprä-və-ˈkā-shən 

1

: the act of provoking : incitement

2

: something that provokes, arouses, or stimulates

Synonyms of provocation

• excitement
• stimulus
• encouragement
• stimulation
• motivation

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

So, naturally, the competition between the two states assumed fraught racial overtones, which is unfortunate but not surprising, given Democrats’ penchant for picking at sore spots and turning on each other at the slightest provocation. — Los Angeles Times, 2 Aug. 2026

The Dirties includes a scene where Johnson’s out-of-touch high-school character is in blackface, while the Nirvanna web series has bits that carelessly chase juvenile provocation, including stray uses of racial accents and slurs. — Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 29 July 2026

Keep power, keep money and oil flow, no regime change, a return in effect to JCPOA nuclear conditions, trade with the west - and yet Tehran won’t ceasefire or stop provocations. — Melik Kaylan, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026

Freitas has embraced Mugler’s penchant for provocation and powerful femininity, bringing back linebacker shoulders and styles like the nipple-ring dress worn by Chappell Roan at this year’s Grammys. — Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 23 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for provocation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

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