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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of provocation
Venezuelan officials have since condemned the military provocation, reporting from Reuters says.
—
Jalen Williams, Freep.com, 27 Oct. 2025
In retrospect, Kinetta feels like a dry run for Lanthimos, with all the droll affectation of his later provocations but little of the allegorical power or lunatic comedy that would distinguish them.
—A.a. Dowd, Vulture, 24 Oct. 2025
Lurie is handling the volatile situation with quiet aplomb, not an easy riser to the bait that is the president’s constant provocations of American mayors.
—The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 24 Oct. 2025
Cybersecurity experts now run complex simulations where AI is assigned the role of a toxic attacker, allowing organizations to test how their own AI systems react to provocation.
—Big Think, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for provocation
Jalen Williams, Freep.com, 27 Oct. 2025
In retrospect, Kinetta feels like a dry run for Lanthimos, with all the droll affectation of his later provocations but little of the allegorical power or lunatic comedy that would distinguish them.
—A.a. Dowd, Vulture, 24 Oct. 2025
Lurie is handling the volatile situation with quiet aplomb, not an easy riser to the bait that is the president’s constant provocations of American mayors.
—The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 24 Oct. 2025
Cybersecurity experts now run complex simulations where AI is assigned the role of a toxic attacker, allowing organizations to test how their own AI systems react to provocation.
—Big Think, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for provocation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for provocation
Noun
-
The attendees—thirty- and forty-somethings who are members of the bank’s Private Wealth Management (PWM) division, which boasts an average account size of over $75 million—gathered to hash out their anxiety and excitement.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Bring the excitement off the screen and into the real world with this fun hide and seek figure, which encourages active play with a timer and spoken clues to lead kids to her hiding spot.—
Mia Huelsbeck,
PEOPLE,
8 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
People think of puzzle games as endless (or nearly so), and after a day or so, all 35 levels can be soaked in and completed, with only the promise of a higher score as incentive to return.—
Christopher Cruz,
Rolling Stone,
11 Nov. 2025
-
If a cease-fire would precipitate these becoming realities, as European leaders in the coalition of the willing suggest, then Russia has a strong incentive to avoid a cease-fire altogether, even if combat operations are pursued at a lower intensity.—
Jack Watling,
Foreign Affairs,
11 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The salience network, which responds to external stimuli.—
Angelica Bottaro,
Verywell Health,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Without being able to compute directly from real stimuli, perceptual models could capture ideas in theory but fail simple real-world tests.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
4 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
That that might be the impetus for people to try to come together in some way.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
2 Nov. 2025
-
The impetus for the collaboration came from Smith’s own experience using garlic in her cooking.—
Emily Burns,
Footwear News,
28 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The program provides support and encouragement to those who are struggling with grief.—
Ramona Sentinel,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 Nov. 2025
-
With his mother’s encouragement, Galloway appealed his case to UCLA, and met with an admissions officer.—
Dave Smith,
Fortune,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Duffy denied any political motivation.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
7 Nov. 2025
-
His content, often featuring humorous music about food was intended as motivation for Lomax’s own health journey.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
5 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Recent scientific studies have found that horticultural therapy promotes creativity, self-esteem, social interaction and sensory stimulation.—
The San Diego Union Tribune,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Children are exposed to far more stimulation naturally from microbes than from vaccines.—
NPR,
NPR,
7 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Provocation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/provocation. Accessed 12 Nov. 2025.
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