1
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
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
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Recent Examples of provocation
Was that a deliberate provocation?
—
Brittany Delay, Mercury News, 17 Apr. 2026
Its commentary on political extremism, religious tribalism and the erosion of nuance is uniquely relevant, with episodes that spark conversation across ideological lines without resorting to provocation for provocation’s sake.
—Michael Schneider, Variety, 16 Apr. 2026
Both Hungarian and American news organizations reported that a Russian intelligence team had set up in Budapest to amplify Orbán’s social-media campaign, and perhaps to stage provocations.
—Anne Applebaum, The Atlantic, 13 Apr. 2026
The forty-three-year gap between provocation and retaliation is a void between cause and effect into which all temporal logic vanishes.
—Fintan O’Toole, The New York Review of Books, 9 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for provocation
Brittany Delay, Mercury News, 17 Apr. 2026
Its commentary on political extremism, religious tribalism and the erosion of nuance is uniquely relevant, with episodes that spark conversation across ideological lines without resorting to provocation for provocation’s sake.
—Michael Schneider, Variety, 16 Apr. 2026
Both Hungarian and American news organizations reported that a Russian intelligence team had set up in Budapest to amplify Orbán’s social-media campaign, and perhaps to stage provocations.
—Anne Applebaum, The Atlantic, 13 Apr. 2026
The forty-three-year gap between provocation and retaliation is a void between cause and effect into which all temporal logic vanishes.
—Fintan O’Toole, The New York Review of Books, 9 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for provocation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for provocation
Noun
-
As members of the Titans Elite team walked off the basketball court after the last game of the March super regional tournament, their excitement was evident.—
Amy Stark Shireman,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
30 Apr. 2026
-
May-Tove Smiseth, an archaeologist and adviser on the Innlandet County Council, said the treasure has drummed up excitement in the archaeological community.—
Emily Mae Czachor,
CBS News,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Grace Backian, director of the Northern Philippines Root Crops Research and Training Center, said that’s largely because there’s no financial incentive for farmers to plant more.—
Stephanie Yang,
CNN Money,
3 May 2026
-
Most states have some sort of incentive in place to benefit EV buyers, including tax credits or rebates, or utility rate reductions, according to a 2023 report from the National Conference of State Legislators, a bipartisan nonprofit group for state legislators and their staff.—
Sarah Agostino,
CNBC,
3 May 2026
Noun
-
Fiscal stimulus helped to buoy spending in the first quarter.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
3 May 2026
-
Necessity is the mother of invention, as the saying goes, and the existential problems that war presents often act as a stimulus to innovation.—
David Szondy
May 02,
New Atlas,
2 May 2026
Noun
-
The freebie was the likely impetus for the big increase in attendance, but Murakami’s slugging surely convinced some fans to come check out the scene on the South Side on a sunny but cool afternoon.—
Paul Sullivan,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Apr. 2026
-
After a brief interruption due to bad light, Josh Clarkson's late impetus guided New Zealand to a challenging total.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
How To Get Blanket Flower To Bloom Blanket flowers are prolific bloomers and typically require very little encouragement to set flowers.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
4 May 2026
-
Teachers are meant to be people that students can trust and seek out for mentorship, guidance, and encouragement.—
Robert McGreevy,
FOXNews.com,
1 May 2026
Noun
-
Most Sunday mornings, Charles Woods doesn’t need much motivation for his weekly 40-mile bike ride.—
Isabel Rivera,
Miami Herald,
1 May 2026
-
Asking a musician about their influences can elicit a boiler plate response revealing little about their mindset and motivations.—
Andrew Gilbert,
Mercury News,
1 May 2026
Noun
-
What sounds like a miracle is the effects of a deep brain stimulation procedure Echemendia underwent at Memorial Regional Hospital in Hollywood.—
Michelle Marchante,
Miami Herald,
30 Apr. 2026
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Together, Venus and Pluto create a blend of seductive charm, substance and intellectual stimulation.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Provocation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/provocation. Accessed 7 May. 2026.
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