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

And Putin is now engaging in all kinds of provocations against NATO states, including by floating drones over the alliance’s territory. — Dmytro Kuleba, Foreign Affairs, 30 Sep. 2026

The collections showed a dichotomy of heritage meets contemporary life; intimacy meets provocation; belonging intersects with rootlessness, and memories, music, nature, street culture and personal histories become material for visual language. — Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 24 Sep. 2026

Recently, our president engaged in yet another of his unseemly acts, which quickly passed like so many other indecencies once fresh provocations arrived. — Los Angeles Times, 23 Sep. 2026

In this go-round, all the franchise’s favorite tricks have lost their impact, and its provocations ring hollow. — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 18 Sep. 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