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
In the end, Beard’s interpretation of the Constitution did not prevail—his evidence was not altogether persuasive—but his provocation helped usher in an era of constitutional renewal in the United States.
—
Jill Lepore, New Yorker, 13 May 2026
What proved most arresting, however, was not the overt provocation of the work, but its manipulation of duration and attention.
—Andrew S. Jacobson, Baltimore Sun, 13 May 2026
This is all, of course, a provocation, a way of merging the sacred and profane, and asking which is which.
—Megan Garber, The Atlantic, 12 May 2026
Police said without apparent provocation, the suspect assaulted the man with a knife.
—Tim Fang, CBS News, 11 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for provocation
Jill Lepore, New Yorker, 13 May 2026
What proved most arresting, however, was not the overt provocation of the work, but its manipulation of duration and attention.
—Andrew S. Jacobson, Baltimore Sun, 13 May 2026
This is all, of course, a provocation, a way of merging the sacred and profane, and asking which is which.
—Megan Garber, The Atlantic, 12 May 2026
Police said without apparent provocation, the suspect assaulted the man with a knife.
—Tim Fang, CBS News, 11 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for provocation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for provocation
Noun
-
Fitzgerald said there’s no lingering disappointment following last weekend’s three losses, just excitement as his team attempts to claim the league title ahead of the postseason Big 12 tourney and NCAAs.—
Gary Bedore
May 14,
Kansas City Star,
14 May 2026
-
In a second post shared the next day, Miccio continued documenting her excitement with a new series of snaps of the happy pair.—
Tabitha Parent,
PEOPLE,
14 May 2026
Noun
-
House members who occupy safe seats have fewer incentives to compromise or work across the aisle.—
Ashley Wu,
New York Times,
18 May 2026
-
Provincial incentives can be stacked with the federal rebate to a bonus tax credit rate of 45 percent — a significant lever in an era when every greenlight is being scrutinized.—
Etan Vlessing,
HollywoodReporter,
17 May 2026
Noun
-
Renter Mandy Feng, who prefers to use a pseudonym for fear of being seen criticizing the authorities, said the stimulus the government is offering has failed to offset people’s anxiety over an uncertain economic outlook.—
Chris Lau,
CNN Money,
18 May 2026
-
Perhaps sensing this, the league trotted out a series of onstage stimuli between picks.—
Dan Greene,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
Noun
-
The swell of political dissatisfaction with Starmer from many of his colleagues, and what appears to be his narrow escape from an immediate leadership challenge, provides the impetus for the government to revamp its legislative agenda.—
Holly Ellyatt,
CNBC,
13 May 2026
-
The project now has fresh impetus with SBS Productions and SBS International, which is repping sales at the Cannes market.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
13 May 2026
Noun
-
For this year's campaign, Kemp rebuffed Senate Republican leaders' encouragement to challenge Ossoff and declined to endorse either Collins or Carter.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
18 May 2026
-
There’s so much encouragement, advice, and support happening in every one.—
Glamour,
Glamour,
18 May 2026
Noun
-
That anticlimax proved enduring motivation for son Clark, now the chairman of the Chiefs.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
15 May 2026
-
Most organizations continue to approach performance through the lens of the individual, focusing on motivation or endurance, while overlooking the structural conditions that quietly determine how people function over time.—
Nia Bowers,
USA Today,
15 May 2026
Noun
-
Hair follicle stimulation and density support are provided through PRP and mesotherapy, while graft preservation is supported through IceGraft technology to help maintain graft condition.—
Wyles Daniel,
USA Today,
20 May 2026
-
In an era when many A-list veterans keep adding layers — orchestras, backing tracks, costume changes, guest appearances, enough visual stimulation to warrant warnings to fans with photosensitive epilepsy — Sting has gone the opposite direction.—
Théoden Janes,
Charlotte Observer,
19 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Provocation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/provocation. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
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