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 In this go-round, all the franchise’s favorite tricks have lost their impact, and its provocations ring hollow. — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2026 The firing drill, which included North Korea’s first public ballistic missile launches in about three weeks, came a day after the United States, South Korea and Japan wrapped up a trilateral military exercise that North Korea views as a provocation. — ABC News, 13 Sep. 2026 Through deception, provocation, threats, and unexpected movements, a commander can compel the enemy to respond, shifting his forces and exposing vulnerabilities. — Ethan Teekah, Encyclopedia Britannica, 11 Sep. 2026 Casting Johnson was, by Gyllenhaal’s own admission, a provocation. — Clayton Davis, Variety, 5 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for provocation

Recent Examples of Synonyms for provocation

Noun

Despite not having a proper commercial rollout ready at the time, the on-court debut generated a great deal of excitement.

— Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 28 Sep. 2026
But the night felt overly reliant on the audience’s excitement about the Knicks’ champions being in the building.

— Rima Parikh, Vulture, 27 Sep. 2026

Definition of excitement

Noun

The Port Authority of Kansas City approved incentives for the development earlier this year.

— Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 2 Oct. 2026
Iowa lawmakers will return to the Statehouse Friday to consider expanding the ceiling on state tax incentives in an effort to secure a $15 billion steel plant project for the state.

— Hannah Fingerhut, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of incentive

Noun

Consequently, the resulting economic stimulus, inflationary pressure, and intense competition for capital could propel the 10 year US Treasury yield toward a high of 6% before next January.

— , CNBC, 29 Sep. 2026
Scientists are beginning to treat gravity almost like a drug, varying its strength, duration, and frequency on the human body to learn what dose might keep astronauts healthy and whether the same stimulus could help rehabilitate patients on Earth.

— Stefanie Waldek, Space.com, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of stimulus

Noun

The stadium announcer can be heard telling fans about some sort of promotion, so that might have been the impetus for Kelce’s Big Mac pep talk.

— Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 24 Sep. 2026
The original impetus for quantum cosmology is to do with the fact that the Big Bang model is based on quantum matter, but classical gravity.

— Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of impetus

Noun

Blank bulletin board for Hurley Hurley likes to point at preseason rankings and award projections for motivation leading up to and throughout the season.

— Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 1 Oct. 2026
So perhaps Kelce had extra motivation to work out in the offseason, Spruill said.

— Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of motivation

Noun

Researchers now think the answer is not more stimulation, but a chance to reset exhausted fibroblasts.

— Leslie Baumann, Miami Herald, 1 Oct. 2026
As for us, we are engaged in the usual rituals of brewing cups of stimulation — our choice today is orange creme — and foraging for items of interest.

— Ed Silverman, STAT, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of stimulation

Browse Nearby Words

provocateurs

provocation

provocations

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Provocation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/provocation. Accessed 3 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of provocation

noun

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