provocation

noun

prov·​o·​ca·​tion ˌprä-və-ˈkā-shən 

1

: the act of provoking : incitement

2

: something that provokes, arouses, or stimulates

Synonyms

• excitement
• incitation
• incitement
• instigation

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

He is accused of using the knives to then stab his victims at random and without provocation, before fleeing the scene, police said. —Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 19 Dec. 2024

Recommended Joy Five years after fire, a shining Notre Dame is ready to reopen its doors Mr. Han, the acting leader, ordered the military to bolster its security posture to prevent North Korea from launching provocations by miscalculation. —Hyung-Jin Kim and Kim Tong-Hyung, The Christian Science Monitor, 14 Dec. 2024

This is a premeditated provocation, and I’m supposed to think Angie is the mean one? —Sarah Hagi, Vulture, 12 Dec. 2024

So, expect provocations, false-flag outrages, high-profile kidnappings of westerners and much else. —Melik Kaylan, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English provocacioun, from Anglo-French provocacion, from Latin provocation-, provocatio, from provocare

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids 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