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
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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
The website, the rituals, the rice and vinegar, are all part of a larger gesture, a provocation, a question.
—
Ellen O'Connell Whittet
june 25, Literary Hub, 25 June 2025
His Paris diary, by contrast, is a jumble of clichés and misfired provocations.
—Thomas Meaney, New Yorker, 2 July 2025
Her career encompasses blockbusters, rom-coms, arthouse fare, and works of provocation, with notable examples being Batman & Robin (1997), Les Misérables (1998), The House That Jack Built (2018), Red, White & Royal Blue (2023), and Oh, Canada (2024).
—Allison Degrushe Published, EW.com, 2 July 2025
The exhibition has been organized by theme, and looks at the designers’ embrace of provocation; menswear and tailoring; historical costume, and the female body.
—Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 1 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for provocation
Ellen O'Connell Whittet
june 25, Literary Hub, 25 June 2025
His Paris diary, by contrast, is a jumble of clichés and misfired provocations.
—Thomas Meaney, New Yorker, 2 July 2025
Her career encompasses blockbusters, rom-coms, arthouse fare, and works of provocation, with notable examples being Batman & Robin (1997), Les Misérables (1998), The House That Jack Built (2018), Red, White & Royal Blue (2023), and Oh, Canada (2024).
—Allison Degrushe Published, EW.com, 2 July 2025
The exhibition has been organized by theme, and looks at the designers’ embrace of provocation; menswear and tailoring; historical costume, and the female body.
—Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 1 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for provocation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for provocation
Noun
-
Christen expressed her excitement in her Instagram Story shortly after uploading the news to her feed.—
Skyler Caruso,
People.com,
15 July 2025
-
Fan engagement is up, and innovations like the Pit Boost have added excitement.—
Jenn Nelson,
Forbes.com,
15 July 2025
Noun
-
As an example, traditional regulatory efforts tend to be seen as restrictive, while industrial policy typically incorporates enabling incentives to stimulate private or public sector action.—
Paulo Carvão,
Forbes.com,
19 July 2025
-
Too quick of a shift could lead many aging rice farmers to just retire, while large commercial farms may need more incentives to switch back to producing mainly rice over other crops.—
Miranda Jeyaretnam,
Time,
18 July 2025
Noun
-
Chinese markets were sharply higher in earlier trading, buoyed by signs of possible additional stimulus measures in China and Goldman Sachs Group’s upgrade of Hong Kong stocks to market-weight.—
Teresa Cerojano,
Chicago Tribune,
11 July 2025
-
Using a tool to measure how patients perceive stimuli like temperature and touch, researchers in Germany found that women with lipedema had a lower pain threshold compared with other women.—
Francesca Gilbard,
NBC news,
10 July 2025
Noun
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But another member of the Southeastern Connecticut delegation who served as the bill’s sponsor, Rep. Aundre Bumgardner, D-Groton, said that the Plainfield proposal had been the primary impetus for the bill.—
Mark Pazniokas,
Hartford Courant,
9 July 2025
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Still, Streeter suggested that further pressure from the U.K. regulator could provide the impetus required to accelerate changes within the company.—
Karen Gilchrist,
CNBC,
8 July 2025
Noun
-
Jason Bateman even offered Shepard some encouragement to lock it down.—
Rachel Flynn,
People.com,
12 July 2025
-
What a torrent of encouragement and loving advice and undeserved flattery over the years!—
John Updike,
New Yorker,
11 July 2025
Noun
-
Being direct with people earns their respect faster than any lecture about motivation.—
Marek Niedzwiedz,
Forbes.com,
15 July 2025
-
Numerous questions remain about the shooting, including Crooks’ motivation.—
Boston Herald Wire Services,
Boston Herald,
13 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Provocation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/provocation. Accessed 23 Jul. 2025.
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