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
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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
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of provocation
Galleria Continua’s proposition for Oh La La! flirts with provocation and banks on contrast and duality.
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Sarah Belmont, ARTnews.com, 17 Oct. 2024
But Biden's basic human decency was another thing that will be much more widely appreciated as the 47th president brings his relentless circus of daily outrages, provocations and schoolyard taunts back into our lives.
—Matt Robison, Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2024
In Biden’s tenure, U.S. adversaries have grown increasingly brazen in their provocations and ramped up cooperation with each other.
—Kori Schake, Foreign Affairs, 8 Nov. 2024
Per comments on the dedicated sub-Reddit for his massive podcast Kill Tony, even Hinchcliffe’s fans are divided on whether his stand-up is too derivative or reliant on contrived provocation.
—Hershal Pandya, Vulture, 29 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for provocation 
Sarah Belmont, ARTnews.com, 17 Oct. 2024
But Biden's basic human decency was another thing that will be much more widely appreciated as the 47th president brings his relentless circus of daily outrages, provocations and schoolyard taunts back into our lives.
—Matt Robison, Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2024
In Biden’s tenure, U.S. adversaries have grown increasingly brazen in their provocations and ramped up cooperation with each other.
—Kori Schake, Foreign Affairs, 8 Nov. 2024
Per comments on the dedicated sub-Reddit for his massive podcast Kill Tony, even Hinchcliffe’s fans are divided on whether his stand-up is too derivative or reliant on contrived provocation.
—Hershal Pandya, Vulture, 29 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for provocation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for provocation
Noun
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But when the special guests arrived, chaperoned by a flight attendant, the children couldn't contain their excitement, as the VIPs were each of the girls' Elf on the Shelf.Terry Baddoo, USA TODAY, 18 Dec. 2024
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Pop-up shops, interactive installations and brand activations can generate excitement and buzz, offering unique and memorable moments that forge deeper relationships with consumers.Yuriy Boykiv, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Unlike rebates and tax credits for electric cars, applicants don’t have to first buy the e-bike to get the incentive.Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 9 Dec. 2024
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The system then moves to stage two to identify infected herds through bulk tank sampling, before stage three to rapidly respond to infected cattle using existing incentive programs, movement controls and contact tracing.Rick Barrett, Journal Sentinel, 6 Dec. 2024
Noun
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The massive stimulus spending that dulled the worst effects of COVID-19 and helped speed the recovery were also prime factors in the runaway inflation that came on the other side of the crisis.Max Thornberry, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 15 Dec. 2024
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Lost in all the talk around tariffs is the news that China announced a new stimulus package.Michael Foster, Forbes, 14 Dec. 2024
Noun
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What was the impetus for the flag on the Stankonia cover?Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 12 Dec. 2024
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The true impetus for their overhaul, however, was climate-related.Kathryn Romeyn, Architectural Digest, 11 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Muir offered the Lang brothers words of encouragement.Eric Noll, ABC News, 11 Dec. 2024
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Yet, according to the lawsuit, the chatbots' encouragements can turn dark, inappropriate, or even violent.Bobby Allyn, NPR, 10 Dec. 2024
Noun
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In thriving learning cultures—those rich in motivation, curiosity, and collaboration—AI has the potential to enhance learning.Martin Gutmann, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024
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In this exclusive trailer drop, Kinzinger can be seen outlining his motivations.Steven Zeitchik, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near provocation
Cite this Entry
“Provocation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/provocation. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
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