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

For the incoming national security team, addressing Chinese provocations in the Indo-Pacific while managing conflicts in the Middle East and Europe will prove challenging. —Rush Doshi, Foreign Affairs, 29 Nov. 2024

Russian pogroms often flared during moments of political crisis amid rumors that Jews had committed provocations, Ms. Bemporad said. —Marc Tracy, New York Times, 24 Nov. 2024

Touchy Mars in Cancer opposes harsh Pluto in Capricorn, sending provocations flying. —Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 3 Nov. 2024

Kamala Harris' stance on Transgender Rights Harris, meanwhile, has largely refrained from engaging directly with Trump's provocations but has countered his mischaracterizations. —Marco Rubio, Newsweek, 1 Nov. 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