provocation

noun

ˌprä-və-ˈkā-shən How to pronounce provocation (audio)
Definition of provocationnext
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 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 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 The provocations are garnering Hilton plenty of attention though probably not winning him very many new votes. — Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026 Slam Frank’s provocations, however, are leavened by Fox’s genuine skill with and respect for musical theater. — Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 5 Oct. 2026 What matters are the peacemakers, and the true tension of the series rests in their decisions to either respond to provocation in kind or to respond to provocation with kindness. — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 4 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for provocation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for provocation
  1. excitement
  2. incentive
  3. stimulus
  4. impetus
  5. encouragement
  6. motivation
  7. stimulation
Noun
  • Davide Sgariboldi, general manager at Euroitalia, said that causes excitement.
    — Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Erewhon, which launched as a pop-up about a week later, also elicited excitement and some griping, with critics saying the space would be better served by a less expensive option.
    — Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of excitement
Noun
  • Companies have plenty of incentives to make that advertising palatable to consumers, but Ireland believes ads will play a role one way or another.
    — Allison Johnson, The Verge, 9 Oct. 2026
  • The city of Mission ultimately pulled the plug on its tax incentives and threw out the redevelopment agreement.
    — Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of incentive
Noun
  • The leaders who are willing to pause between stimulus and response create sustainable change.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Researchers have studied how certain facial and auricular stimuli interact with parasympathetic activity.
    — Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of stimulus
Noun
  • So, if your travels find you in Milan before 2027 kicks off, consider this your impetus to go ahead and book that room.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Oct. 2026
  • This process seems to have an inexorable direction and impetus.
    — Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of impetus
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
  • In her ultra-popular cycling classes, Griffith offers an hour of relief and release, motivation and inspiration.
    — Maggie Ryan, Flow Space, 8 Oct. 2026
  • The signatures of these AI leaders might not reveal much about their intentions or their motivations.
    — Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of motivation
Noun
  • As for us, we are engaged in the usual ritual of brewing a cuppa stimulation — our choice today is English breakfast — and foraging for items of interest.
    — Ed Silverman, STAT, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Rigid neckbands deliver heat, vibration or electrical stimulation through EMS or TENS-style pulses.
    — Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of stimulation

Browse Nearby Words

provocateurs
provocation
provocations
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Provocation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/provocation. Accessed 13 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on provocation

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about provocation

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of abscond

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Why do we call it a 'flea market'?
See More

Popular

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
a cup of tea and a golf ball on tee side by side
Quiz: Sounds Like... Choose the word that sounds like it fits the clue...
See All