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
White listeners and white supremacy are always ripe for a dressing down, but there’s no teeth or edge to his provocations anymore.
—
Dylan Green, Pitchfork, 29 May 2026
Yii-Jan Lin, a professor of New Testament at Yale Divinity School and author of the book Immigration and Apocalypse, views the video as a calculated provocation.
—Jason Derose, NPR, 26 May 2026
Before Judge Rivanda Doss Beal for a Saturday detention hearing, prosecutors detailed how the victim sat on the trunk of his vehicle chatting with friends when Carroll and two others approached the group and opened fire without any apparent provocation or words exchanged.
—William Lee, Chicago Tribune, 23 May 2026
Over the ensuing years, Ben-Gvir continued his provocations.
—Avi Issacharoff, The Atlantic, 22 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for provocation
Dylan Green, Pitchfork, 29 May 2026
Yii-Jan Lin, a professor of New Testament at Yale Divinity School and author of the book Immigration and Apocalypse, views the video as a calculated provocation.
—Jason Derose, NPR, 26 May 2026
Before Judge Rivanda Doss Beal for a Saturday detention hearing, prosecutors detailed how the victim sat on the trunk of his vehicle chatting with friends when Carroll and two others approached the group and opened fire without any apparent provocation or words exchanged.
—William Lee, Chicago Tribune, 23 May 2026
Over the ensuing years, Ben-Gvir continued his provocations.
—Avi Issacharoff, The Atlantic, 22 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for provocation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for provocation
Noun
-
From packed streets to neighborhood businesses, the excitement surrounding the team's title has extended well beyond basketball.—
Hannah Kliger,
CBS News,
19 June 2026
-
Leading the team to the World Cup Soccer is unquestionably booming in the United States, and the second World Cup on American shores is being met with passion and excitement.—
Don Riddell,
CNN Money,
18 June 2026
Noun
-
And given that such systems are physically possible, powerful economic and strategic incentives exist for technologists and entrepreneurs to build them.—
Rob Toews,
Forbes.com,
22 June 2026
-
The money is an incentive granted by the city after working more than 20 years to attract a builder with a project appropriate for the property, which was cleared decades earlier for redevelopment.—
Phil Diehl,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
21 June 2026
Noun
-
China also engineered a massive government stimulus package to stabilize its economy.—
Paul Wiseman,
Fortune,
22 June 2026
-
Central banks thought that forward guidance, particularly when interest rates were very low, could provide additional market stimulus.—
Erik Sherman,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2026
Noun
-
The Forest Service has cited cost savings as the impetus for a reorganization that will shutter dozens of research facilities.—
Alex Wigglesworth,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2026
-
And the main impetus for that arboreal death was the state’s dwindling water supply.—
Catherina Gioino,
Fortune,
15 June 2026
Noun
-
To his family, Clive was Dad and Granddaddy, the steady presence at the center of our lives, the source of wisdom, strength, encouragement, and unconditional love.—
Dan Hyman,
Rolling Stone,
22 June 2026
-
Moreover, what moves women forward is action rather than encouragement.—
Savanah F.S. Bray,
Fortune,
22 June 2026
Noun
-
Well, that gives me all the more motivation to bust right through that thing.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
19 June 2026
-
This decline deprives teens of vital skill development, work experience, and motivation, fostering pessimism among Gen Z.—
Ryan Craig,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2026
Noun
-
Regardless of age, a poor response to ovarian stimulation—for example, a low estrogen level or a low number of follicles developing—indicates that the treatment is not going well, Klipstein says.—
Heather Grossmann,
Parents,
16 June 2026
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The mental stimulation, not unlike jigsawing a puzzle or inking a crossword.—
Ashley Parker,
The Atlantic,
15 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Provocation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/provocation. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.
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