PROVOCATION Synonyms: 52 Similar and Opposite Words

provocation

noun

ˌprä-və-ˈkā-shən

Definition of provocation

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

subduing

as in incentive

something that arouses action or activity ready to retaliate at the slightest provocation

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of provocation In the tradition of Warhol’s Factory, the outsourcing became the provocation itself—the era’s most cynical embodiment of art-as-commodity. — Robb Report, 9 Oct. 2026 The collection’s attempt at provocation was perhaps best illustrated by a top with underboob exposure that seemed intended to signal a rebellious edge but came across as little more than an ill-fitting garment in search of a point of view. — Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026 Mugler is a house built partially on provocation, but Mugler, the man, died only a few years ago. — José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 9 Oct. 2026 These people, including Mohsen Rezaei, the national security adviser, and Hossein Taeb, the commander of Iran’s main domestic paramilitary forces, think deterring further attacks requires a decisive, aggressive response to any provocations. — Narges Bajoghli, Foreign Affairs, 9 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for provocation

Recent Examples of Synonyms for provocation

Noun

But now, as excitement swirls over social media giant Meta Platforms' AI agent, traders are pouring into Snap call options on Monday, propelling trading volume to more than four times the month-long average, Cboe LiveVol data show.

— Oliver Renick, CNBC, 12 Oct. 2026
Impact flashes have been seen before, but these ones on the dark side of the Moon could have been the faintest observed with the human eye, and everyone’s excitement is palpable in the clip.

— Terrence O'Brien, The Verge, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of excitement

Noun

Strong demand for oil, particularly from Asia, continues to provide an incentive for tanker operators to transport energy supplies from the Persian Gulf, even as security threats complicate voyages.

— Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2026
But Sawie emphasized that this work is just part of the solution, noting that real progress can’t be made until farmers have access to reliable markets and incentives that recognize the work put into transitioning to organic practices.

— Jennifer Bringle, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of incentive

Noun

Its restrictions cover suicide and self-harm promotion, eating disorder encouragement, body shaming, non-consensual intimate imagery, harassment, and animal cruelty.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 8 Oct. 2026
The comments are all universally positive and supportive, with followers offering prayers and words of encouragement , including former athletes such as Troy Aikman, Kenny Lofton and Teemu Selane.

— Austin Perry OutKick, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of encouragement

Noun

The researchers also found that lower-current stimulation could reverse this effect, restoring a less predictable switching state.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 14 Oct. 2026
The technique is called closed-loop auditory stimulation, which is a jargony way of saying the device reads what your brain is doing and reacts in the moment.

— Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of stimulation

Browse Nearby Words

provocateurs

provocation

provocations

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Style

“Provocation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/provocation. Accessed 17 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of provocation

noun

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