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
The federal government should immediately withdraw agents from the area, and likely from the Twin Cities altogether, to prevent further provocation.
—
Phil Morris The Minnesota Star Tribune, Arkansas Online, 10 Jan. 2026
Choose authenticity over provocation, and allow transformation without burning bridges or alienating allies in the process this month.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 5 Jan. 2026
One Dallas-area seller said the shirts were created as a form of expression rather than provocation.
—Dallas Morning News, 5 Jan. 2026
Ziering allegedly exited his vehicle without provocation and forcefully shoved Hernandez twice, knocking him into a female friend and onto the pavement.
—Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 2 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for provocation
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Phil Morris The Minnesota Star Tribune, Arkansas Online, 10 Jan. 2026
Choose authenticity over provocation, and allow transformation without burning bridges or alienating allies in the process this month.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 5 Jan. 2026
One Dallas-area seller said the shirts were created as a form of expression rather than provocation.
—Dallas Morning News, 5 Jan. 2026
Ziering allegedly exited his vehicle without provocation and forcefully shoved Hernandez twice, knocking him into a female friend and onto the pavement.
—Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 2 Jan. 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 10 Jan. 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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