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provocation

noun

ˌprä-və-ˈkā-shən How to pronounce provocation (audio)
Definition of provocationnext
1
as in excitement
something that arouses a strong response from another a patient man who gets angry only from the greatest of provocations

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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 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 Casting Johnson was, by Gyllenhaal’s own admission, a provocation. — Clayton Davis, Variety, 5 Sep. 2026 Brands today need nuance to be titillating—nudity and provocation are too available. — José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 2 Sep. 2026 Putin was equally dismissive of a claim by Germany that Russia was responsible for a recent drone attack at Leipzig airport, suggesting Berlin had planted evidence in a deliberate provocation. — Nathan Hodge, CNN Money, 2 Sep. 2026 The museum defines an unprovoked attack as when a shark bites a human in its own habitat without any provocation by the human. — Heather McCarron, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for provocation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for provocation
  1. excitement
  2. incentive
  3. stimulus
  4. impetus
  5. encouragement
  6. motivation
  7. stimulation
Noun
  • Wells said excitement around Meta's new AI releases , including the Muse personal agent app, gives the social media giant a story to tell during the Meta Connect conference.
    — Kevin Stankiewicz,Matthew J. Belvedere, CNBC, 21 Sep. 2026
  • The useful question is whether the choice still feels worthwhile once the excitement fades.
    — Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 20 Sep. 2026
Definition of excitement
Noun
  • Through the partnership, Oceanfront will produce and finance productions while Allegro provides financing solutions for potential production collateral (like tax incentives, rebates and pre-sales).
    — Tanya Fedak, Variety, 18 Sep. 2026
  • On Tuesday night, leaders in the Colorado city approved a 30-year tax incentive to bring the major sporting goods retailer to the community.
    — Ashley Portillo, CBS News, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of incentive
Noun
  • The goal is to spread out the incoming traffic and economic stimulus beyond the major hubs and peak tourist seasons of July and August.
    — CNT Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Sep. 2026
  • Another compartment for the negative stimuli, such as the spray or shock.
    — BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of stimulus
Noun
  • 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
  • The Lighthouse’s headquarters hadn’t been upgraded since the 1980s, Allen said, so the collapse provided the impetus to bring the facility into the 21st century.
    — Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of impetus
Noun
  • Someone could offer knowledge, encouragement, or an introduction that makes an idea feel less imaginary.
    — Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 Sep. 2026
  • Sorkin and Fincher have remained close, and Sorkin has continued to rely on Fincher’s insight and encouragement.
    — Chris O'Falt, IndieWire, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of encouragement
Noun
  • In both films, acting is the central source of the characters’ motivations.
    — Clayton Davis, Variety, 17 Sep. 2026
  • Much is left unstated, requiring the reader to decipher character motivations.
    — Anna Mebel, JSTOR Daily, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of motivation
Noun
  • People can direct them by sending electrical stimulation to electrodes implanted near their antennae.
    — Maryna Holovnova, New Atlas, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Other treatments include medication, behavioral therapy and for a small number of cases a surgical therapy called deep brain stimulation.
    — Michael Okun, The Conversation, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of stimulation

Browse Nearby Words

provocateurs
provocation
provocations
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Cite this Entry

“Provocation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/provocation. Accessed 24 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on provocation

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about provocation

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