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
Relevance
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
There are custom motorcycles, and then there are mechanical provocations—the kind that challenge not only the limits of engineering, but the very definition of what a motorcycle can be.
—
Eric Hendrikx, Robb Report, 22 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
But each co-sign now lands differently, refracted through the unresolved fallout of his antisemitic remarks and provocations.
—Maer Roshan, HollywoodReporter, 4 Apr. 2026
Moreover, currently sitting at 85 percent on the Tomatometer, reviews for The Drama have been generally good with some critics praising director Kristoffer Borgli’s audacity and the movie’s deliberate provocations as a means of addressing the messy current cultural moment.
—Chris Lee, Vulture, 2 Apr. 2026
Diplomatically, Ankara is likely to continue engaging Tehran in an effort to prevent further incidents, especially those that could be interpreted as deliberate provocations.
—Steve Mollman, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
Cheng was elected as party chairwoman late last year following a campaign that emphasized the need to temper the island’s provocations against the Communist regime.
—Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 30 Mar. 2026
What’s playing on that magical cranial monitor, however, is one half of the shadow self that lurks behind all of Yes‘ provocations.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 28 Mar. 2026
The relative said the good-natured victim brushed off Manessis’ past provocations.
—Nicholas Williams, New York Daily News, 4 Mar. 2026
Eric Hendrikx, Robb Report, 22 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
But each co-sign now lands differently, refracted through the unresolved fallout of his antisemitic remarks and provocations.
—Maer Roshan, HollywoodReporter, 4 Apr. 2026
Moreover, currently sitting at 85 percent on the Tomatometer, reviews for The Drama have been generally good with some critics praising director Kristoffer Borgli’s audacity and the movie’s deliberate provocations as a means of addressing the messy current cultural moment.
—Chris Lee, Vulture, 2 Apr. 2026
Diplomatically, Ankara is likely to continue engaging Tehran in an effort to prevent further incidents, especially those that could be interpreted as deliberate provocations.
—Steve Mollman, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
Cheng was elected as party chairwoman late last year following a campaign that emphasized the need to temper the island’s provocations against the Communist regime.
—Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 30 Mar. 2026
What’s playing on that magical cranial monitor, however, is one half of the shadow self that lurks behind all of Yes‘ provocations.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 28 Mar. 2026
The relative said the good-natured victim brushed off Manessis’ past provocations.
—Nicholas Williams, New York Daily News, 4 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for provocations
Noun
-
Rethinking the tax code BofA said AI will increase pressure on governments to provide wage insurance, enhanced unemployment benefits, reskilling incentives, and tax reform to ensure the gains from AI don’t concentrate in too few hands.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
4 May 2026
-
Provide state incentives for the expansion of private practitioners to take on 20% cliental of low-income, homeless and physically impaired patients to pay zero fees for services rendered.—
Kaitlyn Schallhorn,
Oc Register,
4 May 2026
Noun
-
All through the park, competitors and onlookers hit vapes and shout tips and encouragements into trees.—
Calin Van Paris,
Outside,
19 Mar. 2026
-
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
Noun
-
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
-
The difference between a genuinely pro-family agenda and a coercive one lies in the underlying assumptions and motivations.—
Sonya Borrero,
STAT,
1 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Provocations.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/provocations. Accessed 5 May. 2026.
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