PROVOCATION Synonyms: 52 Similar and Opposite Words

provocation

noun

ˌprä-və-ˈkā-shən

Definition of provocation

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

subduing

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 Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has responded with unusual restraint to Trump’s provocations and has resisted demands to pull away from Washington. — C. Raja Mohan, Foreign Affairs, 27 Aug. 2026 Nobody’s taken the bait regarding White and Freedom’s trollish provocations. — Jemele Hill, The Atlantic, 21 Aug. 2026 The man who punched a woman walking on a sidewalk without provocation in Charlotte’s Dilworth neighborhood last week has been jailed and charged with assault with a deadly weapon, court documents show. — Julia Coin, Charlotte Observer, 14 Aug. 2026 This is the laziest kind of provocation, and The Shards can’t even manage to really go there. — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 13 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for provocation

Recent Examples of Synonyms for provocation

Noun

Amiri finally found an apartment with an elevator big enough for his three kids, but is experiencing the downside of the excitement surrounding Celine Dion’s return to the stage with a residency at Paris La Défense Arena.

— Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 14 Sep. 2026
The reaction was overwhelmingly positive after feeling prioritized by management, which was followed by the excitement of seeing a press release go live and be picked up by the media.

— Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of excitement

Noun

States got creative with all sorts of financial incentives, from million-dollar prizes to college scholarships.

— Adam Zimmerman, STAT, 11 Sep. 2026
The suspension has already squeezed Indian exporters, as Dubai has long served as a key commercial hub for India's trade with Iran, giving India a direct economic incentive.

— Kyra Colah, FOXNews.com, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of incentive

Noun

Analysts, however, expect that Beijing is unlikely to ramp up stimulus meaningfully as long as export growth remains strong enough to power the economy to land within the target range.

— Anniek Bao,Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 15 Sep. 2026
China reported downbeat consumption and investment figures, bolstering economists’ calls for fiscal stimulus to drive growth in the world’s second-biggest economy.

— Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of stimulus

Noun

But the original impetus concerned women not having to get their Manolo Blahniks stuck in the mud.

— Antonia Hitchens, New Yorker, 4 Sep. 2026
The Jets have no impetus to rush a trade — and Jets fans are well-versed in Cheveldayoff’s stubborn patience from Jacob Trouba’s 2016 contract holdout and trades involving Evander Kane, Trouba, Patrik Laine and Pierre-Luc Dubois.

— James Mirtle, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of impetus

Noun

De Zerbi will take encouragement from Savio’s bright debut, with the £85million recruit from Manchester City looking bright and threatening, without executing on the final action.

— Chris Waugh, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
The YouTube videos, Griffin said, were causing third-party contact because of Myers’ encouragement.

— Taylor Seely, AZCentral.com, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of encouragement

Noun

Capitalism — and a strong profit motivation — has driven enterprise for centuries.

— Space.com Staff, Space.com, 5 Sep. 2026
Mahomes has had special motivation in coming back following surgery after suffering two torn ligaments in his left knee during a game.

— Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of motivation

Noun

Mazama Energy’s demonstrated superhot rock platform optimizes well construction, drilling, and stimulation to boost power capacity while minimizing water use, land footprint, and well counts.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 4 Sep. 2026
Vagal tone stimulation activates the vagus nerve to slow heart rate and lower stress hormones.

— Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of stimulation

Browse Nearby Words

provocateurs

provocation

provocations

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Style

“Provocation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/provocation. Accessed 18 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of provocation

noun

Example Sentences

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