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
Yii-Jan Lin, a professor of New Testament at Yale Divinity School and author of the book Immigration and Apocalypse, views the video as a calculated provocation.
—
Jason Derose, NPR, 26 May 2026
Before Judge Rivanda Doss Beal for a Saturday detention hearing, prosecutors detailed how the victim sat on the trunk of his vehicle chatting with friends when Carroll and two others approached the group and opened fire without any apparent provocation or words exchanged.
—William Lee, Chicago Tribune, 23 May 2026
Over the ensuing years, Ben-Gvir continued his provocations.
—Avi Issacharoff, The Atlantic, 22 May 2026
Mamdani’s April 14 video—posted to social media on Tax Day and filmed outside Griffin’s Central Park South penthouse—was a deliberate provocation.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 20 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for provocation
Jason Derose, NPR, 26 May 2026
Before Judge Rivanda Doss Beal for a Saturday detention hearing, prosecutors detailed how the victim sat on the trunk of his vehicle chatting with friends when Carroll and two others approached the group and opened fire without any apparent provocation or words exchanged.
—William Lee, Chicago Tribune, 23 May 2026
Over the ensuing years, Ben-Gvir continued his provocations.
—Avi Issacharoff, The Atlantic, 22 May 2026
Mamdani’s April 14 video—posted to social media on Tax Day and filmed outside Griffin’s Central Park South penthouse—was a deliberate provocation.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 20 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for provocation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for provocation
Noun
-
Pixar's social media accounts began leaning into the excitement over the next few days.—
Bryan West,
USA Today,
5 June 2026
-
Each year or so, a fresh occasion arises to gather in excitement about the Beatles.—
Craig Jenkins,
Vulture,
4 June 2026
Noun
-
Building more starter homes may be harder, since the financial incentives are to build more expensive homes.—
Allison Schrager,
Boston Herald,
31 May 2026
-
People also will receive help with family reunification, landlord incentives, case conferences, and finding safe parking.—
Phil Diehl,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
31 May 2026
Noun
-
Competitor Ross saw comparable sales jump a staggering 17%, beating expectations of 9%, and also attributed some of its outsize growth to extra stimulus.—
Gabrielle Fonrouge,
CNBC,
1 June 2026
-
The Obama administration did spend $34 million from the $787 billion 2009 economic stimulus package — or less than four one-thousandths of 1% of the total package — to reconstruct the Reflecting Pool in a two-year project that wrapped up in August 2012.—
Joseph Konig,
PEOPLE,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
The beloved 35-year-old Florida Ficus at the entrance is the impetus for the iconic logo.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
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The impetus of Vanity Fair’s meeting with Nézet-Séguin was the Met’s new production of El Último Sueño de Frida y Diego, a recent work from US composer Gabriela Lena Frank (in her Met debut).—
Eve Batey,
Vanity Fair,
2 June 2026
Noun
-
Bazarte gave El Grande Americano II encouragement from the front row.—
Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2026
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On it, the two trade not just verses but a series of escalating, truly incendiary guitar solos, Springsteen watching Morello intently and nodding encouragement and approval, before Morello handing the reins back to Springsteen.—
Caryn Rose,
Variety,
28 May 2026
Noun
-
No matter the motivation or trading strategy, going short is a bet that a stock will decline in price.—
Zev Fima,
CNBC,
29 May 2026
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Osuch said the ability to keep his future options open was his motivation.—
Cyril A. Reinicke,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
How the Pulsetto Vagus Nerve Stimulation Device Works Pulsetto is a wearable that delivers non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation through a band placed at the neck.—
Samantha Agate,
Sacbee.com,
3 June 2026
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This is one of the most common questions in Pulsetto vagus nerve stimulation device product info and reviews from prospective buyers.—
Samantha Agate,
Charlotte Observer,
3 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Provocation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/provocation. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.
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