provocation

noun

prov·​o·​ca·​tion ˌprä-və-ˈkā-shən How to pronounce provocation (audio)
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 But in recent years, extremist Jewish groups have increasingly sent activists to the al-Aqsa compound to pray, sometimes openly, which Palestinians view as a provocation. Sufian Taha, Washington Post, 9 Mar. 2024 Even mentioning Palestine can be a provocation to those who cleave to the myth of Israel as the only possible Jewish sanctuary. Hazlitt, 6 Mar. 2024 Ahead of then House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan in August 2022, Kirby briefed a declassified intelligence-community analysis of the steps China might take in response, including military provocations like firing missiles in the Taiwan Strait. TIME, 29 Feb. 2024 Your feelings of being unheard are probably much larger than the current provocation. Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 14 Feb. 2024 Again, the provocation is the point, and while the actual artificial intelligence involved is somewhere between fully and partly simulated, the feelings generated by this entire ordeal are very much real. Vulture, 2 Feb. 2024 And so the provocations and groans continue, for two hours and 40 minutes that could have been half or twice as long. Jesse Green, New York Times, 27 Feb. 2024 But for now, it’s best viewed as a provocation or an advertising blitz. Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 16 Feb. 2024 Kim is known for his provocations and has signaled in recent years a coming policy shift on South Korea. Simone McCarthy, CNN, 15 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'provocation.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of provocation was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near provocation

Cite this Entry

“Provocation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/provocation. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!