provocation

noun

prov·​o·​ca·​tion ˌprä-və-ˈkā-shən How to pronounce provocation (audio)
Synonyms of provocation
1
: the act of provoking : incitement
2
: something that provokes, arouses, or stimulates

Synonyms of provocation

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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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Casting Johnson was, by Gyllenhaal’s own admission, a provocation. — Clayton Davis, Variety, 5 Sep. 2026 Brands today need nuance to be titillating—nudity and provocation are too available. — José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 2 Sep. 2026 Putin was equally dismissive of a claim by Germany that Russia was responsible for a recent drone attack at Leipzig airport, suggesting Berlin had planted evidence in a deliberate provocation. — Nathan Hodge, CNN Money, 2 Sep. 2026 The museum defines an unprovoked attack as when a shark bites a human in its own habitat without any provocation by the human. — Heather McCarron, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for provocation

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of provocation was in the 15th century

Rhymes for provocation

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Browse Nearby Words

provocateur
provocation
provocative
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Cite this Entry

“Provocation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/provocation. Accessed 7 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

provocation

noun
prov·​o·​ca·​tion ˌpräv-ə-ˈkā-shən How to pronounce provocation (audio)
1
: the act of provoking
2
: something that provokes

Medical Definition

provocation

noun
prov·​o·​ca·​tion ˌpräv-ə-ˈkā-shən How to pronounce provocation (audio)
: 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 How to pronounce provocation (audio)
1
: the act of provoking
2
: something that provokes, arouses, or stimulates

More from Merriam-Webster on provocation

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about provocation

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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