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
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
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
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for provocations
Noun
-
The abundant risks and perverse incentives of the sharenting industry have, in recent years, inspired some well-meaning legislation.—
Jessica Winter,
New Yorker,
7 Apr. 2026
-
The core problem, attorney fee incentives, was left untouched.—
Tom Manzo,
Oc Register,
6 Apr. 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
-
February 19 – March 20 Your motivations are extra powerful at the moment.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
6 Apr. 2026
-
What were the hostage takers’ motivations?—
Graham Womack,
Sacbee.com,
4 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Provocations.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/provocations. Accessed 12 Apr. 2026.
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