provocation

noun

prov·​o·​ca·​tion ˌprä-və-ˈkā-shən How to pronounce provocation (audio)
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 This is most evident in the government’s forceful response to potential threats and provocations from its traditional rivals, China and Pakistan. Rohan Mukherjee, Foreign Affairs, 4 Apr. 2024 With 27 tracks spanning 78 minutes, the album is a payload of provocation and flat-out astonishing music that will take a while to fully digest. Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 29 Mar. 2024 For decades, North Korea’s alliance with China has constrained Washington from responding more firmly to its provocations. Hal Brands, Foreign Affairs, 29 Mar. 2024 Seoul’s defense minister, Shin Won-sik, visited the Capital Defense Command on Thursday and ordered a firm response if North Korea made provocations aimed at the capital. Reuters, NBC News, 8 Mar. 2024 He is nonetheless drawn in, to his surprise and discomfort, by Benzion’s provocation that American Jews have ransomed themselves for the fantasy of belonging. Gideon Lewis-Kraus, The New Yorker, 15 Feb. 2024 Paltrow, 51, appeared on Thursday's episode of YouTube series Hot Ones and was asked about her thoughts on the role of provocation when building a brand. Gabrielle Rockson, Peoplemag, 22 Mar. 2024 Neither Jewish nor American history (nor any other) indefinitely forswears violence regardless of provocation. Steve Koppman, The Mercury News, 7 Mar. 2024 And provocation includes things that make the pain worse. Jenny Sweigard, Verywell Health, 5 Mar. 2024

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.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of provocation was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near provocation

Cite this Entry

“Provocation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/provocation. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024.

Kids Definition

provocation

noun
prov·​o·​ca·​tion ˌpräv-ə-ˈkā-shən How to pronounce provocation (audio)
1
: the act of provoking
2
: something that provokes

Medical Definition

provocation

noun
prov·​o·​ca·​tion ˌpräv-ə-ˈkā-shən How to pronounce provocation (audio)
: 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 How to pronounce provocation (audio)
1
: the act of provoking
2
: something that provokes, arouses, or stimulates

More from Merriam-Webster on provocation

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