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

Under Ben-Gvir, Israeli police have increasingly allowed Jews to pray at the site, a deliberate provocation to the Arab world, drawing condemnation from Palestinian and Jordanian authorities. — Eric Cortellessa, Time, 22 Oct. 2026

The scenes of chaos are a provocation against state authority. — Kahina Sekkaï, Vanity Fair, 18 Oct. 2026

In July 2022, for instance, a sheriff’s deputy was captured on video slamming an inmate’s head into a wall at Men’s Central Jail without provocation, as The Times reported at the time. — Connor Sheets, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026

Now, Romain Gavras is back with Sacrifice, a visually dazzling comic-dramatic provocation about a fancy environmental-charity gala in Greece that’s invaded by a group of wild-eyed eco-activists. — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 16 Oct. 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