provocation
noun
prov·o·ca·tion
ˌprä-və-ˈkā-shən 
1
: the act of provoking : incitement
2
: something that provokes, arouses, or stimulates
Examples of provocation in a Sentence
He can turn violent at the least provocation.
Her calmness in the face of repeated provocations impressed her friends.
With hardly any provocation, the crowd began to chant.
Recent Examples on the Web
Comedy Central’s brand was provocation, to some extent.
—
Zack Sharf, Variety, 14 June 2024
That dog, for its own reasons, was wearing a muzzle—an unbearable provocation, apparently.
—James Parker, The Atlantic, 13 June 2024
One of the deputies appeared to grab the inmate from behind and slam him into the wall, seemingly without provocation.
—Keri Blakinger, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2024
Moscow will almost certainly view these as provocations necessitating upgrades in Russia’s own military, such as the buildup of troops on its side of the border.
—Jussi M. Hanhimäki, Foreign Affairs, 22 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for provocation 
Zack Sharf, Variety, 14 June 2024
That dog, for its own reasons, was wearing a muzzle—an unbearable provocation, apparently.
—James Parker, The Atlantic, 13 June 2024
One of the deputies appeared to grab the inmate from behind and slam him into the wall, seemingly without provocation.
—Keri Blakinger, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2024
Moscow will almost certainly view these as provocations necessitating upgrades in Russia’s own military, such as the buildup of troops on its side of the border.
—Jussi M. Hanhimäki, Foreign Affairs, 22 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for provocation
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'provocation.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near provocation
Cite this Entry
“Provocation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/provocation. Accessed 30 Jun. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
provocation
noun
prov·o·ca·tion
ˌpräv-ə-ˈkā-shən
1
: the act of provoking
2
: something that provokes
Medical Definition
provocation
noun
prov·o·ca·tion
ˌpräv-ə-ˈkā-shən
: the act or process of provoking
a nonspecific irritant that brings about provocation of bronchial asthma
Legal Definition
provocation
noun
prov·o·ca·tion
ˌprä-və-ˈkā-shən
1
: the act of provoking
2
: something that provokes, arouses, or stimulates
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