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
Traders who understand that the provocation phase is temporary have consistently outperformed those who panic.
—
Jon Markman, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
The tone oscillated between humor and provocation.
—Spriha Srivastava, CNBC, 21 Jan. 2026
After the school viewing, Noelle avoids eye contact with her mother, which April interprets as a provocation.
—Ruth Madievsky, The Atlantic, 21 Jan. 2026
Across California, and the nation, citizens and noncitizens alike have reported being beaten and harassed, having guns pointed at them without provocation and being detained without basic rights for days.
—Los Angeles Times, 14 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for provocation
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Jon Markman, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
The tone oscillated between humor and provocation.
—Spriha Srivastava, CNBC, 21 Jan. 2026
After the school viewing, Noelle avoids eye contact with her mother, which April interprets as a provocation.
—Ruth Madievsky, The Atlantic, 21 Jan. 2026
Across California, and the nation, citizens and noncitizens alike have reported being beaten and harassed, having guns pointed at them without provocation and being detained without basic rights for days.
—Los Angeles Times, 14 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for provocation
Cite this Entry
“Provocation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/provocation. Accessed 28 Jan. 2026.
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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