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
On his first solo release in eight years, 100 gecs’ mutant-pop prankster turns his attention to relatively straightforward big-tent EDM—but not without a little noise-scene provocation.
—
Colin Joyce, Pitchfork, 25 Mar. 2026
The softer songs ease off of careful provocations and shouty tones, for the most part, in favor of more flowery writing and vocal deliveries.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 24 Mar. 2026
In the early 1980s, in the full flush of revolutionary ardor and against an age-old enemy who had attacked them without provocation, the Iranian people and armed forces fought and suffered for their country.
—Eliot A. Cohen, The Atlantic, 23 Mar. 2026
South Korea’s national security council called the launches a provocation that violated United Nations Security Council resolutions that bans any ballistic activities by North Korea.
—Hyung-Jin Kim, Los Angeles Times, 15 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for provocation
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Colin Joyce, Pitchfork, 25 Mar. 2026
The softer songs ease off of careful provocations and shouty tones, for the most part, in favor of more flowery writing and vocal deliveries.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 24 Mar. 2026
In the early 1980s, in the full flush of revolutionary ardor and against an age-old enemy who had attacked them without provocation, the Iranian people and armed forces fought and suffered for their country.
—Eliot A. Cohen, The Atlantic, 23 Mar. 2026
South Korea’s national security council called the launches a provocation that violated United Nations Security Council resolutions that bans any ballistic activities by North Korea.
—Hyung-Jin Kim, Los Angeles Times, 15 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for provocation
Cite this Entry
“Provocation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/provocation. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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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