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
That shift has made Allen’s idea sound less like an outsider’s provocation and more like part of a broader reckoning with what the school has become.
—
Alice Herman, Miami Herald, 6 Sep. 2025
He was appointed to co-lead the Documentary Film Initiative at the Shorenstein Center at Harvard’s Kennedy School, working to support new research, analysis, innovation and provocation around core issues facing the documentary field.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 2 Sep. 2025
Worrying less about Taiwan, Beijing increasingly viewed North Korea’s nuclear provocations as a threat to China’s security interests rather than as an insurance policy against Taiwan’s independence.
—Shuxian Luo, Foreign Affairs, 21 Aug. 2025
Critics of California reacting to Texas’ provocation have focused on what this does or doesn’t mean for Gov. Gavin Newsom’s potential run for president.
—Mercury News Editorial, Mercury News, 15 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for provocation
Alice Herman, Miami Herald, 6 Sep. 2025
He was appointed to co-lead the Documentary Film Initiative at the Shorenstein Center at Harvard’s Kennedy School, working to support new research, analysis, innovation and provocation around core issues facing the documentary field.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 2 Sep. 2025
Worrying less about Taiwan, Beijing increasingly viewed North Korea’s nuclear provocations as a threat to China’s security interests rather than as an insurance policy against Taiwan’s independence.
—Shuxian Luo, Foreign Affairs, 21 Aug. 2025
Critics of California reacting to Texas’ provocation have focused on what this does or doesn’t mean for Gov. Gavin Newsom’s potential run for president.
—Mercury News Editorial, Mercury News, 15 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for provocation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for provocation
Noun
-
Seth Teasdale arrived at his alma mater, Utah Valley University, just before noon, rippling with excitement to see one of his online heroes, Charlie Kirk.—
Rick Jervis,
USA Today,
14 Sep. 2025
-
And who’s more starved for excitement these days than the Blackhawks and Blackhawks fans?—
Mark Lazerus,
New York Times,
13 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
President Joe Biden's 2022 Inflation Reduction Act—passed solely with Democratic votes in Congress—provided historic incentives for clean energy manufacturers and EV and battery makers.—
Jeff Young,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Sep. 2025
-
If a ball is kicked into the landing zone and then bounces into the endzone while staying inbounds, it must be returned or downed; however, there is an incentive for attempting a return in that instance, as a touchback would only spot the receiving team at their 20.—
Armon Sadler,
VIBE.com,
16 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The hope was that a quick jolt of stimulus (delivered without haste) could stir an economic recovery.—
Robert Goulder,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
-
The factory is a throwback to a pre-Rust Belt America, providing ~200 jobs, endless pride, and a stimulus that benefits the rest of the local economy.—
Katherine Laidlaw,
HubSpot,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The special teams element is a benefit of the move more than the impetus.—
Zach Berman,
New York Times,
13 Sep. 2025
-
That’s really what was the first impetus for getting this to be a continuing project.—
Brian Hiatt,
Rolling Stone,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
While the movement has yet to gain traction on this side of the pond, Americans have needed little outside encouragement to get in on the secondhand shopping trend, both online, led by marketplaces like ThredUp and The Real Real, and in thrift stores.—
Pamela N. Danziger,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
-
Pym was in need of encouragement.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
15 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The neighbor, who denied any political motivations in the attack, pleaded guilty to assaulting a member of Congress was sentenced to eight months behind bars.—
Chris Boyette,
CNN Money,
14 Sep. 2025
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What investigators conclude about Robinson’s motivations may have far-reaching consequences beyond his own criminal case.—
Richard Hall,
Time,
14 Sep. 2025
Noun
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For those with prostates, perineal stimulation can also indirectly create deep arousal and enhance orgasm.—
Essence,
Essence,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Weimaraners are another high-energy option, requiring both mental and physical stimulation.—
Maria Azzurra Volpe,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Provocation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/provocation. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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