1
as in excitement
something that arouses a strong response from another
a patient man who gets angry only from the greatest of provocations
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in incentive
something that arouses action or activity
ready to retaliate at the slightest provocation
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of provocation
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for provocation
Noun
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Managing Owner Jorge Mas expressed excitement for the team's future, even as construction continues on the final touches, from the building itself down to the seat numbers.—
Samantha Rivera,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Pregnancy is a time of excitement and anticipation, and mothers-to-be are often brimming with questions, many of them, unfortunately, based on myth and superstition.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The core problem, attorney fee incentives, was left untouched.—
Tom Manzo,
Oc Register,
6 Apr. 2026
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The incentive structure is based on multiples of five cases from the Criminal Trial Support Unit’s unassigned defendants’ list, where bar advocates can take on five, 10, or 15 such cases for a possible maximum of $7,500 in incentive bonuses — 15 cases at $500 each.—
Flint McColgan,
Boston Herald,
5 Apr. 2026
Noun
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To check whether progesterone was the trigger, the researchers removed the female from the barrier tank and replaced her with conical plastic tubes coated with various chemical stimuli, sliding them into the small holes of the wall divider.—
Jacek Krywko,
ArsTechnica,
2 Apr. 2026
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In general, weight loss means less load on your bones, which reduces the stimulus to create new bone cells.—
Erica Sloan,
SELF,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
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And taking small steps to connect with others — even as simple as engaging in idle chitchat with a stranger — can be an impetus for broader change.—
Keith Wagstaff,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Didn’t even know what the impetus was for the saying.—
Evan Grant,
Dallas Morning News,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
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February 19 – March 20 Soft encouragement wraps around your rough edges.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
4 Apr. 2026
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Dozens of friends and supporters held a march for peace near the Coral Springs Museum of Art, gathering with words of encouragement and calls to condemn the violence.—
Steve Maugeri,
CBS News,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
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What were the hostage takers’ motivations?—
Graham Womack,
Sacbee.com,
4 Apr. 2026
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The other is a patchy, unpersuasive psychodrama about the underlying motivations and years-later ramifications of an unspeakable act—or, in this case, an unrealized plan to commit an unspeakable act.—
Hannah Jocelyn,
New Yorker,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Others were tested for use in appetite suppression or stimulation, wound repair, sleep regulation, anti-aging and immunity support, among other purposes.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2026
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Rewarding good behavior and enriching the feline’s environment with play and stimulation can reduce curtain climbing.—
Maria Azzurra Volpe,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Provocation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/provocation. Accessed 7 Apr. 2026.
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