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
At a minimum, more of these provocations are likely to happen unless NATO helps Ukraine neutralize Russia’s military.
—
Andriy Zagorodnyuk, Foreign Affairs, 23 Sep. 2025
No provocation on the part of the town’s inhabitants interrupts the tense calm.
—Greg Grandin
september 23, Literary Hub, 23 Sep. 2025
Luca Guadagnino’s third film to be released in the last 18 months is said to be a cancel-culture provocation.
—Vulture Staff, Vulture, 23 Sep. 2025
Russia claimed without evidence that the incident was a provocation by Ukraine.
—Fatma Tanis, NPR, 21 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for provocation
Andriy Zagorodnyuk, Foreign Affairs, 23 Sep. 2025
No provocation on the part of the town’s inhabitants interrupts the tense calm.
—Greg Grandin
september 23, Literary Hub, 23 Sep. 2025
Luca Guadagnino’s third film to be released in the last 18 months is said to be a cancel-culture provocation.
—Vulture Staff, Vulture, 23 Sep. 2025
Russia claimed without evidence that the incident was a provocation by Ukraine.
—Fatma Tanis, NPR, 21 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for provocation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for provocation
Noun
-
Fans on social media can barely contain their excitement over the announcement.—
Melinda Salchert,
Southern Living,
4 Oct. 2025
-
The exec emphasized his excitement about being in the country a few months after Salles’ history-making drama about Brazil’s military dictatorship, a film that also scored nominations for best picture and actress for Fernanda Torres.—
Rafa Sales Ross,
Variety,
4 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Tesla had a first-mover advantage in China in 2013, leveraging the government’s support of EVs with subsidies and incentives and its production base and opening a gigafactory in Shanghai in 2019.—
Rebecca A. Fannin,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Livermore and Alameda officials unsuccessfully offered their own tax incentive packages.—
Kyle Martin,
Mercury News,
30 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
To him, animal behavior was largely based on stimulus and response.—
Danny Robb,
JSTOR Daily,
1 Oct. 2025
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The receptors in your hands respond to myriad stimuli-like pressures—vibrations in sync with 15 different families of neurons.—
Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez,
Fortune,
29 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The impetus for Redeux Style was to teach people how to create beautiful moments in their lives to be more sustainable.—
Rosemary Feitelberg,
Footwear News,
26 Sep. 2025
-
There was enough of an impetus, there was enough energy there.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
25 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The recent sighting provided encouragement to conservationists.—
Aspen Pflughoeft,
Miami Herald,
6 Oct. 2025
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Redd offered encouragement and resources, including money for a hotel room.—
Essence,
Essence,
6 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
No throwback footage was needed as motivation on Sunday; only clips of their opponent.—
Ben Pickman,
New York Times,
6 Oct. 2025
-
And so that was the real motivation.—
Daniel McFadin,
Arkansas Online,
6 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Beyond being fun, toys help dogs develop instincts, provide stimulation, and strengthen the bond between pets and their owners.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
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These interactive toys—including a double-sided picture book, soft rainbow kicker, and plush hanging toys—offer lots of stimulation and tons of fun.—
Pamela Brill,
Parents,
2 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Provocation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/provocation. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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