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
Intentional provocation Serhii Sternenko, a Ukrainian activist lawyer and blogger, described the Oval Office spat as an intentional provocation on behalf of Trump to discredit Ukraine as an unreliable partner in the peace negotiations.
—
Lena Surzhko Harned, The Conversation, 3 Mar. 2025
Yet even these lone voices failed to call out Trump for betraying Zelensky and adopting the talking points of a brutal regime that invaded Ukraine with no provocation three years ago.
—Mordechai Gordon, Hartford Courant, 28 Feb. 2025
Online, jokey provocations feigned a detachment from real life.
—Lauren Michele Jackson, The New Yorker, 27 Feb. 2025
His zero-sum view of the world affords little patience for the churn and friction and provocation that actually make for good art.
—Gal Beckerman, The Atlantic, 25 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for provocation
Lena Surzhko Harned, The Conversation, 3 Mar. 2025
Yet even these lone voices failed to call out Trump for betraying Zelensky and adopting the talking points of a brutal regime that invaded Ukraine with no provocation three years ago.
—Mordechai Gordon, Hartford Courant, 28 Feb. 2025
Online, jokey provocations feigned a detachment from real life.
—Lauren Michele Jackson, The New Yorker, 27 Feb. 2025
His zero-sum view of the world affords little patience for the churn and friction and provocation that actually make for good art.
—Gal Beckerman, The Atlantic, 25 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for provocation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for provocation
Noun
-
Seven months later, the excitement of the Kursk incursion has evaporated.—
Tamar Jacoby,
Forbes,
18 Mar. 2025
-
As the day came to a close, the excitement didn’t stop.—
Shelby Stewart,
Essence,
18 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
New state and federal incentives will pay the bulk of the cost for the upgrade, making this an even more cost-effective choice.—
Ben Roush,
Baltimore Sun,
9 Mar. 2025
-
Within days of taking office, Trump signed an executive order pausing the disbursement of funds from the Inflation Reduction Act, despite the fact that red states have largely benefited from the legislation’s clean energy incentives.—
Bella Kubach,
Orlando Sentinel,
7 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Columbia University Grad Detained by ICE That is more than the popular petition for regular stimulus checks during the COVID pandemice, which had a little more than 3,050,000 signatures at time of publication.—
Raja Krishnamoorthi,
Newsweek,
13 Mar. 2025
-
Congress would have to pass a bill to approve the distribution of stimulus checks.—
Camila Pedrosa,
Sacramento Bee,
12 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Lagarde, now its executive director, founded the initiative in 2010, but its impetus was New Orleans’ long struggle to rebuild and recover from Hurricane Katrina.—
Chris Boyette,
CNN,
2 Mar. 2025
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How that plays out depends on a number of factors, such as where the conflict starts and what the impetus is, which would shape the way all major actors and allies respond to whatever acts as the spark.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
28 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Commercial pilot and licensed psychotherapist shares words of encouragement after recent plane crashes Michaela Renee Johnson says fear is a natural response to seeing the recent aviation disasters and shares thoughts on how people can ultimately tackle their fear.—
Ashley J. DiMella Fox News,
Fox News,
14 Mar. 2025
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With his signature goofiness and kindhearted nature, Captain Goof-Beard helps Mickey and his friends on treasure hunts and exciting seafaring quests by providing clues, guidance, and encouragement, all while teaching valuable lessons about teamwork and perseverance.—
Lauryn Higgins,
Parents,
12 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Their personal stories also flip their motivations.—
George Yang,
Rolling Stone,
18 Mar. 2025
-
Hinsdale South wrestler Callie Carr had a simple motivation that helped drive her perfect 39-0 record, which was capped off with a state championship.—
Chuck Fieldman,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Provocation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/provocation. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.
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