1
as in excitement
something that arouses a strong response from another
a patient man who gets angry only from the greatest of provocations
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in incentive
something that arouses action or activity
ready to retaliate at the slightest provocation
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of provocation
But, from the moment that he was sworn in, his fantasies and provocations became American foreign policy.
—
Ben Taub,
New Yorker,
15 June 2026
Consumers can forgive almost anything—controversy, scandal, provocation, even cultural insensitivity—if the party and the product is good enough.
—
Serena Turner,
Vanity Fair,
15 June 2026
One of Lino Brocka’s lasting successes, 1988’s ‘Macho Dancer’ combines a flair for socially conscious melodrama with pulp provocation, setting the template for what would become Viva Films’ erotic niche to this day.
—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
1 June 2026
White listeners and white supremacy are always ripe for a dressing down, but there’s no teeth or edge to his provocations anymore.
—
Dylan Green,
Pitchfork,
29 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for provocation
Ben Taub,
New Yorker,
15 June 2026
Consumers can forgive almost anything—controversy, scandal, provocation, even cultural insensitivity—if the party and the product is good enough.
—
Serena Turner,
Vanity Fair,
15 June 2026
One of Lino Brocka’s lasting successes, 1988’s ‘Macho Dancer’ combines a flair for socially conscious melodrama with pulp provocation, setting the template for what would become Viva Films’ erotic niche to this day.
—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
1 June 2026
White listeners and white supremacy are always ripe for a dressing down, but there’s no teeth or edge to his provocations anymore.
—
Dylan Green,
Pitchfork,
29 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for provocation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for provocation
Noun
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And just as the rental market of humanoid robots shows signs of cooling and the initial excitement wanes, concerns of an industry bubble have risen.
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Cunningham, 63, can remember the fanfare and excitement around the bicentennial in 1976.
Noun
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Nearly a year after the expiration of a $7,500 federal tax incentive for new electric vehicles, California is stepping in to try to motivate buyers to go electric.
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The attack shocked Monaco, a coastal playground for the rich and famous known for its tax-friendly incentives, royal family and Formula 1 Grand Prix.
Noun
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But if productivity growth is low, then stimulus just turns into inflation—too many dollars chasing too few goods.
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By integrating smart shades into the components of major smart home ecosystems (those supporting Matter, Thread, Zigbee, or Z-Wave specifically), these systems can react to real-time stimuli.
Noun
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Whether the impetus is to satisfy a desire for seclusion or to achieve the investment benefits that development allows, these three properties, triangulated across the globe, open up new frontiers and ways of living.
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Not much separated these two teams over 90 minutes, with limited attacking impetus and much of the game being played in midfield.
Noun
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Once all but deserted, the town experienced a revival in 1965, when artists and musicians began to flock there after encouragement from the Yugoslav government.
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Alexandria government roasted for absurd anti-fireworks tweet The government of Alexandria tweeted Wednesday a blunt warning about fireworks — and encouragement to snitch on your neighbors.
Noun
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Teams Like Norway Are Trying Re-Create Home Conditions Of course, good nutrition isn’t the only motivation behind what Norway and other teams may be doing.
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For years, Governor Ron DeSantis has fought the College Board, the group that administers the AP test, over how its standardized tests portray many things, including race and gender but also the motivations of the Founding Fathers.
Noun
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Apollo Neuro uses vibrotactile stimulation on the wrist or ankle.
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According to Playlist, parent company of the gym and spa membership app ClassPass, the number of venues on ClassPass with electrical muscle stimulation workouts rose more than 16% from 2023 to 2025.
Cite this Entry
“Provocation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/provocation. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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