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
Smith’s mastery of tailoring and provocation was on full display.
—
Skylar Mitchell, Essence, 17 Sep. 2025
Then, with seemingly no provocation, the man can be seen standing up and whipping out a knife in his right hand.
—David K. Li, NBC news, 17 Sep. 2025
The meeting also comes as Russia has shown staggering provocation by violating Polish airspace with drones.
—Michelle Stoddart, ABC News, 16 Sep. 2025
The provocation unsettled many in the profession — and for good reason.
—Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for provocation
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Skylar Mitchell, Essence, 17 Sep. 2025
Then, with seemingly no provocation, the man can be seen standing up and whipping out a knife in his right hand.
—David K. Li, NBC news, 17 Sep. 2025
The meeting also comes as Russia has shown staggering provocation by violating Polish airspace with drones.
—Michelle Stoddart, ABC News, 16 Sep. 2025
The provocation unsettled many in the profession — and for good reason.
—Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 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 21 Sep. 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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