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

The excitement kicks off with a Super Bowl rematch Wednesday night between the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks.

— Chad Graff, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
Mitch frantically tuned in on his iPad and tried to contain his excitement as his brother had an outstanding debut, nearly leading the Chargers to victory.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 Sep. 2026

Definition of excitement

Noun

In July, California’s Public Utilities Commission approved new incentives of up to $20,300 for ride-hailing app drivers to buy or lease new zero-emission vehicles, and often now, ride hailers can choose to be picked up by an EV on the apps.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026
Lucrative contracts in the French league, lack of incentive to travel overseas and strict rules from the French Federation meant a local product grew but never went global.

— Eden Laase, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of incentive

Noun

But any economic stimulus program runs the risk of causing inflation to spike, and many economists believe the pandemic-era stimulus was at least partially responsible for the rise in consumer prices that ensued over the following years.

— Joe Walsh, CBS News, 10 Sep. 2026
The edit intercuts old film reels, both archival B-roll and seeming home movies, to hint at how all these new stimuli jog Brooke’s memory.

— Marshall Shaffer, IndieWire, 9 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

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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Cite this Entry

Style

“Provocation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/provocation. Accessed 12 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of provocation

noun

Example Sentences

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