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 Now, Romain Gavras is back with Sacrifice, a visually dazzling comic-dramatic provocation about a fancy environmental-charity gala in Greece that’s invaded by a group of wild-eyed eco-activists. — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 16 Oct. 2026 He is accused of hitting a man without provocation in Miami Gardens in April, according to court records. — David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 14 Oct. 2026 Israel alleges officers entered her pasture without permission and shot HeeHaw without provocation. — Christopher Harris, CBS News, 12 Oct. 2026 The collection’s attempt at provocation was perhaps best illustrated by a top with underboob exposure that seemed intended to signal a rebellious edge but came across as little more than an ill-fitting garment in search of a point of view. — Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for provocation

Recent Examples of Synonyms for provocation

Noun

Lulingu, a Grauer’s gorilla who was reintroduced to Virunga National Park in eastern Congo, is raising a baby after a successful birth, bringing excitement for the conservationists working there.

— Elodie Toto, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026
Michael Platt, a professor of marketing, psychology and neuroscience at the Wharton School, says the answer may lie in how the brain responds to risk, excitement and the promise of a big win.

— Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of excitement

Noun

New discoveries matter only if companies have the incentive and capital to bring them to market.

— Rick Lazio, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026
Some may question whether these procedures are used too often, whether the evidence supporting them is strong enough, or whether financial incentives influence their use.

— Antje M. Barreveld, STAT, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of incentive

Noun

China’s economy grew faster than expected in the third quarter thanks to the country’s powerful export machine, with domestic consumption still lagging and the authorities showing little interest in fiscal stimulus.

— Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 19 Oct. 2026
Visual stimuli produced more activity in the superficial layers of the superior colliculus.

— Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of stimulus

Noun

The impetus for Whalefall came from a viral video in which a kayaker ended up in the mouth of a whale.

— Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2026
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

Definition of impetus

Noun

Jonah himself is remaining positive while keeping his spirits up thanks to the love, support and encouragement of his family, friends and all those doctors and nurses who care so much for him.

— Patrick Snell, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2026
After encouragement from the coaches, Koerber improved his personal best by three minutes at his next race, Brown said.

— Donald Fountain, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of encouragement

Noun

In many instances, a nature lead might find that their underlying motivation is at odds with their employer’s, causing friction and making their — suddenly outsized — remit difficult to fulfil.

— Bella Webb, Vogue, 22 Oct. 2026
But Spoelstra insisted that wasn’t a source of motivation to begin this season against Ball’s new team.

— Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of motivation

Noun

The Holistic Touch treatment uses Ayurvedic techniques to rebalance the body’s energy, including healing poultices and marma-point stimulation.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Oct. 2026
Tom describes himself as uniquely susceptible to this kind of stimulation, something that Kenny, the Mount Sinai neuroscientist, says may have some credence.

— Allison Parshall, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 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 25 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of provocation

noun

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