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 France’s challenges came from external provocation, first the petulance of the Paraguayan team, but then comments widely condemned as racist by a Paraguayan politician. — Adam Crafton, New York Times, 16 July 2026 The disdain goes back decades and, as some Argentina fans evidently proved Tuesday, rowdiness does not require international provocation. — Tyler Estep, AJC.com, 15 July 2026 The event didn’t come together, but his provocations got a lot of attention. — Zach Helfand, New Yorker, 13 July 2026 In a provocation to the Forest Service officers monitoring the blockade, the slightest nudging threatened to send the edifice crashing to the ground and Tubbs to his maiming or death. — Literary Hub, 10 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for provocation

Recent Examples of Synonyms for provocation

Noun

The Aries Moon in your 11th House of Friends squares Mercury in your 2nd House of Resources, so group excitement could bump into budget reality.

— Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 Aug. 2026
The muscles in Lola Petticrew’s face twitch ever so slightly, indicating Catherine’s excitement that the police are now in possession of this picture.

— Erin Qualey, Vulture, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of excitement

Noun

In order to convince people to replace solo driving with mass transit, LA Metro is offering cash incentives for people to park at least one of their cars at home and try walking, bike share, carpooling or taking a train or bus.

— Steve Scauzillo, Daily News, 7 Aug. 2026
The move comes nearly two years after the City of Fort Worth approved more than $70 million in incentives to support Phase II redevelopment.

— Doug Myers, CBS News, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of incentive

Noun

The government stimulus, however, threatened to deepen the fiscal challenges faced by Japan, whose public debt stands at more than 200% of gross domestic product.

— Max Zahn, ABC News, 6 Aug. 2026
And Obama was being seen at the time as being completely irresponsible in pursuing stimulus.

— David Frum, The Atlantic, 29 July 2026

Definition of stimulus

Noun

Officials are asking residents to continue to pray and send words of encouragement and support to those affected by the flooding.

— Dan Raby, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026
Spacing of races will be important as encouragement for participation in the six-race series in a five-month span.

— Danny Brewer, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of encouragement

Noun

Essential California sat down with Ben Orbison, FOLAR’s director of strategic communications, and spoke about festival highlights and motivations.

— Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 8 Aug. 2026
Cross-functional access can then expand gradually, creating new opportunities while maintaining focus and motivation for growth.

— Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of motivation

Noun

These are often conditions that mostly affect women and that can leave patients completely disabled—sensitive to light and sound, spending most of their time in a completely dark room with no stimulation.

— Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 4 Aug. 2026
Let’s let go of the self-identification with boredom or over-stimulation claiming to overshadow our path to progress.

— Tony Lobl, Christian Science Monitor, 4 Aug. 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 9 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of provocation

noun

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