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
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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
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Recent Examples of provocation
Gray’s ski‑scapes are quiet provocations, whispering of belonging and insisting on visibility.
—
Skylar Mitchell, Essence, 11 Aug. 2025
That is the charm, and frankly, the provocation.
—Daniel Fusch, USA Today, 11 Aug. 2025
Their fellow students are outraged by Clyde’s phony, hokey provocations against Jewish people and women, leaving Cartman feeling left out.
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 8 Aug. 2025
For Nietzsche, this wasn’t a mere provocation.
—Shai Tubali, Big Think, 5 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for provocation
Skylar Mitchell, Essence, 11 Aug. 2025
That is the charm, and frankly, the provocation.
—Daniel Fusch, USA Today, 11 Aug. 2025
Their fellow students are outraged by Clyde’s phony, hokey provocations against Jewish people and women, leaving Cartman feeling left out.
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 8 Aug. 2025
For Nietzsche, this wasn’t a mere provocation.
—Shai Tubali, Big Think, 5 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for provocation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for provocation
Noun
-
North Carolina’s 20-3 win over the 49ers on the Charlotte campus Saturday night won’t break any records for its excitement level.—
Scott Fowler,
Charlotte Observer,
7 Sep. 2025
-
Fall does not arrive with the same excitement.—
Chris McKeown,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
6 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Where the data is essential—say, health details for a pet—testing light incentives makes sense.—
Jeff Fromm,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
-
Check for state or local EV incentives and utility rebates.—
Susan Tompor,
Freep.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Miran has been critical of the Fed in the past, specifically taking issues with its aggressive stimulus during the Covid crisis.—
Yun Li,
CNBC,
3 Sep. 2025
-
In 2022, the British prime minister backed a mini-budget featuring a raft of unfunded fiscal stimulus, spooking the City to the extent that the pound spiraled to its lowest value ever against the dollar.—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
2 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Almost exactly a year ago, Glasnow’s absence provided the impetus for Roberts’ rallying cry that carried the Dodgers to October.—
Fabian Ardaya,
New York Times,
6 Sep. 2025
-
That was the impetus to reimagine that story.—
Wesley Stenzel,
Entertainment Weekly,
6 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Often, that means encouragement to dream bigger.—
Ann Abel,
Forbes.com,
29 Aug. 2025
-
She is met with encouragement from commenters who support her decision to distance herself from negativity.—
Ashley Vega,
People.com,
25 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The primary question is the motivation of the government, First Amendment experts told The Republic.—
Taylor Seely,
AZCentral.com,
8 Sep. 2025
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All four players won the Tewaaraton Award for the most outstanding player in college lacrosse, and the quartet was a primary motivation for Law to return to the team in ’25.—
Kyle Newman,
Denver Post,
7 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
In addition, treatment centers often provide rooms with soft lighting, a naturalistic decor, and music or other sensory stimulation.—
Jon Hamilton,
NPR,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Deep-brain stimulation is a last resort for all but those with widespread dystonia in many body parts, which, sadly, are often children, experts say.—
Sandee LaMotte,
CNN Money,
4 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Provocation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/provocation. Accessed 8 Sep. 2025.
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