1
as in excitements
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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2
as in incentives
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 provocations
The relative said the good-natured victim brushed off Manessis’ past provocations.
—
Nicholas Williams, New York Daily News, 4 Mar. 2026
No matter what agenda the president espoused—the economic pragmatism of Rafsanjani, the liberal aspirations of Mohammad Khatami, the populist provocations of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the nuclear diplomacy of Hassan Rouhani—Khamenei emasculated him.
—Karim Sadjadpour, The Atlantic, 28 Feb. 2026
The power couple has rarely responded to Trump’s provocations.
—Josh Meyer, USA Today, 7 Feb. 2026
Even one of the more reputable internet weather personalities, Ryan Hall, whose YouTube channel staffs a team of meteorologists, and who has more than three million subscribers, often opts for flashy graphics and deceptive provocations to increase engagement.
—Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 28 Jan. 2026
In season two of The Adam Friedland Show, the former Cum Town host increasingly offset his clip-farming provocations with a streak of good-faith curiosity.
—Hershal Pandya, Vulture, 1 Dec. 2025
This proved too much even for a party that had endured months of Frick’s provocations.
—Literary Hub, 17 Nov. 2025
The Secretariat of Citizen Security noted Mexico City Police only carried out containment work and did not repress protesters or respond to the provocations.
—Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 15 Nov. 2025
In truth, there were many factors behind the fall of the Soviet Union — Ronald Reagan’s Star Wars program and other geopolitical provocations, the drop in oil prices, drastic leadership mistakes like the war in Afghanistan, a misguided alcohol policy, and [Mikhail] Gorbachev’s reforms.
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 8 Nov. 2025
Nicholas Williams, New York Daily News, 4 Mar. 2026
No matter what agenda the president espoused—the economic pragmatism of Rafsanjani, the liberal aspirations of Mohammad Khatami, the populist provocations of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the nuclear diplomacy of Hassan Rouhani—Khamenei emasculated him.
—Karim Sadjadpour, The Atlantic, 28 Feb. 2026
The power couple has rarely responded to Trump’s provocations.
—Josh Meyer, USA Today, 7 Feb. 2026
Even one of the more reputable internet weather personalities, Ryan Hall, whose YouTube channel staffs a team of meteorologists, and who has more than three million subscribers, often opts for flashy graphics and deceptive provocations to increase engagement.
—Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 28 Jan. 2026
In season two of The Adam Friedland Show, the former Cum Town host increasingly offset his clip-farming provocations with a streak of good-faith curiosity.
—Hershal Pandya, Vulture, 1 Dec. 2025
This proved too much even for a party that had endured months of Frick’s provocations.
—Literary Hub, 17 Nov. 2025
The Secretariat of Citizen Security noted Mexico City Police only carried out containment work and did not repress protesters or respond to the provocations.
—Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 15 Nov. 2025
In truth, there were many factors behind the fall of the Soviet Union — Ronald Reagan’s Star Wars program and other geopolitical provocations, the drop in oil prices, drastic leadership mistakes like the war in Afghanistan, a misguided alcohol policy, and [Mikhail] Gorbachev’s reforms.
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 8 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for provocations
Noun
-
The city of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County are providing about $375,000 in local tax incentives.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
17 Mar. 2026
-
State law restricts the city’s ability to offer certain housing incentives and prohibits rent control.—
Alex Driggars,
Austin American Statesman,
16 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
In October 2024 ahead of her own stay at MSG, Billie Eilish recorded encouragements to take the subways for environmental benefits.—
Hannah Dailey,
Billboard,
30 Oct. 2025
-
Hints, counsels, warnings, remonstrations, even encouragements are, in the end, of limited value.—
James Parker,
The Atlantic,
21 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
His political motivations with these town halls are apparent.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Mar. 2026
-
The doc will also delve back into his past to look for the real motivations that have driven him to become the richest person on the planet and among the most powerful and famous.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
12 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Provocations.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/provocations. Accessed 22 Mar. 2026.
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