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
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Recent Examples of provocation
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
And increasingly, that pressure runs toward provocation.
—Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 9 Apr. 2026
As of this week, details including the ticket price have yet to be revealed, and the website, until recently, remained a mysterious provocation.
—Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 7 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for provocation
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
And increasingly, that pressure runs toward provocation.
—Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 9 Apr. 2026
As of this week, details including the ticket price have yet to be revealed, and the website, until recently, remained a mysterious provocation.
—Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 7 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for provocation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for provocation
Noun
-
Upon first sighting, the eyes of children boarding the ship widen in excitement, and adults pull out their smartphones to snap photos.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Yet few of the Nanticoke Valley teens were lured away by the excitement of the cities.—
Livia Gershon,
JSTOR Daily,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
For years, states have used incentives and tax breaks to compete for data centers, sought for their massive investment in construction and equipment.—
Kevin Hardy,
Baltimore Sun,
20 Apr. 2026
-
The goal was to stimulate economic development and job creation in distressed areas around the country by providing tax incentives to investors who would back the projects.—
David Lyons,
Sun Sentinel,
19 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The upbeat growth at the start of 2026 has reduced pressure for additional stimulus, prompting economists to push back expectations for interest rate cuts.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
20 Apr. 2026
-
This time, economists say the job market and consumer spending are weaker, and there are no large government stimulus checks being issued to spur demand.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
11 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
And all of that had to go aside from the impetus and a few choice lines.—
Peter Larsen,
Oc Register,
23 Apr. 2026
-
And that was the impetus of Mile End Kicks.—
Rebecca Alter,
Vulture,
22 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
During Game 1, Doncic offered advice and encouragement to his teammates from the bench.—
Broderick Turner,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Apr. 2026
-
With a little encouragement, and after a bit of sake, Isa Briones will pull out her party trick at karaoke.—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
17 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Although the trial may have gone in Scott's favor, Gill was highly critical of the Middletown narcotic detective's actions and questioned his motivation.—
Juliet Pennington,
PEOPLE,
24 Apr. 2026
-
This tax finally gave companies motivation to prioritize accounting for these societal costs.—
Larz May,
Fortune,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Some rigidity remains, and when the stimulation is turned off, the tremor returns within seconds.—
Ted Scouten,
CBS News,
20 Apr. 2026
-
That stimulation does matter — for individuals, of course, but also for society.—
Lisa Jarvis,
Twin Cities,
19 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Provocation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/provocation. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.
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