Synonyms of provocations

provocations

noun

plural of provocation

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

• excitements
• encouragements
• stimulations
• stimuli
• motivations
• incitements
• instigations
• incentives
• stimulants
• inducements
• frustrations
• incitations
• goads
• inspirations
• irritants
• prods
• enticements
• exasperations
• spurs
• jogs
• nuisances
• headaches
• galvanizations
• lures
• inductions
• aggravations
• annoyances
• peeves
• pests
• hassles
• bothers

2

as in incentives

something that arouses action or activity

ready to retaliate at the slightest provocation

Synonyms & Similar Words

• incentives
• encouragements
• impetuses
• motivations
• stimuli
• impulses
• catalysts
• stimulants
• incitements
• instigations
• reasons
• yeasts
• momenta
• inducements
• goads
• spurs
• fuels
• shots in the arm
• invitations
• considerations
• boosts
• incitations
• causes
• motives
• antecedents
• sparks
• grounds
• occasions
• catalyzers

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• disincentives
• counterincentives

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of provocations

Europe may face heightened sabotage and grey-zone provocations from Moscow. — Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 6 Nov. 2026

These successes are invisible, but an adversary’s continuing provocations are not. — S. C. M. Paine, Foreign Affairs, 3 Nov. 2026

Since taking up his post in Paris, Kushner has become known for lobbing provocations onto France’s domestic scene at sensitive moments. — Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 26 Oct. 2026

Unlike other Republican lawmakers, Lombardo has also shied away from the provocations and flamboyant pugilism of the MAGA movement. — Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026

Slam Frank’s provocations, however, are leavened by Fox’s genuine skill with and respect for musical theater. — Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 5 Oct. 2026

Nobody’s taken the bait regarding White and Freedom’s trollish provocations. — Jemele Hill, The Atlantic, 21 Aug. 2026

The Connecticut rapper’s debut swings from tongue-in-cheek provocations to slam-poetry clunkers, landing a few solid punchlines and pop hooks along the way. — Lily Goldberg, Pitchfork, 3 Aug. 2026