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
Some of the world recognizes this territory as Moroccan now, but there is still a war there, and the Polisario Front broke the ceasefire in 2020 after Moroccan provocation.
—
Suwanna Gauntlett Upjohn, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025
Those guards hanging around the entrance to the nest site will attack with much less provocation, often flying out to sting someone who happens to walk within 10 feet or so.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 19 July 2025
North Korea, which views the joint air drill as an intentional provocation, is determined to protect itself against military threats.
—David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 12 July 2025
The design of social media has discouraged casual posting, with metrics that make users feel inadequate for not getting enough attention, and with algorithmic feeds that prioritize popular accounts that post constantly—not mundane moments but punditry, provocation, and self-promotion.
—Kyle Chayka, New Yorker, 9 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for provocation
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Suwanna Gauntlett Upjohn, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025
Those guards hanging around the entrance to the nest site will attack with much less provocation, often flying out to sting someone who happens to walk within 10 feet or so.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 19 July 2025
North Korea, which views the joint air drill as an intentional provocation, is determined to protect itself against military threats.
—David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 12 July 2025
The design of social media has discouraged casual posting, with metrics that make users feel inadequate for not getting enough attention, and with algorithmic feeds that prioritize popular accounts that post constantly—not mundane moments but punditry, provocation, and self-promotion.
—Kyle Chayka, New Yorker, 9 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for provocation
Cite this Entry
“Provocation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/provocation. Accessed 2 Aug. 2025.
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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