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

What's intriguing about Shopify's provocation is not whether AI can do the job. —Erica Schoder, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025

However, the Philippines holds a candle to the devil by currying favor and colluding with the U.S. and other outside countries to make provocations. —Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 May 2025

But also not helping are the Trump administration’s trade provocations. —Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 5 May 2025

There’s the dramatic one, always reacting to the slightest provocation; the observant one that notices every detail; the golden child Ginty loves to boast about. —Ariel Bleicher, Quanta Magazine, 16 Apr. 2025

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

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