1
as in excitements
something that arouses a strong response from another
a patient man who gets angry only from the greatest of provocations
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in incentives
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 provocations
Moreover, currently sitting at 85 percent on the Tomatometer, reviews for The Drama have been generally good with some critics praising director Kristoffer Borgli’s audacity and the movie’s deliberate provocations as a means of addressing the messy current cultural moment.
—
Chris Lee, Vulture, 2 Apr. 2026
Diplomatically, Ankara is likely to continue engaging Tehran in an effort to prevent further incidents, especially those that could be interpreted as deliberate provocations.
—Steve Mollman, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
Cheng was elected as party chairwoman late last year following a campaign that emphasized the need to temper the island’s provocations against the Communist regime.
—Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 30 Mar. 2026
What’s playing on that magical cranial monitor, however, is one half of the shadow self that lurks behind all of Yes‘ provocations.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 28 Mar. 2026
The relative said the good-natured victim brushed off Manessis’ past provocations.
—Nicholas Williams, New York Daily News, 4 Mar. 2026
No matter what agenda the president espoused—the economic pragmatism of Rafsanjani, the liberal aspirations of Mohammad Khatami, the populist provocations of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the nuclear diplomacy of Hassan Rouhani—Khamenei emasculated him.
—Karim Sadjadpour, The Atlantic, 28 Feb. 2026
The power couple has rarely responded to Trump’s provocations.
—Josh Meyer, USA Today, 7 Feb. 2026
Even one of the more reputable internet weather personalities, Ryan Hall, whose YouTube channel staffs a team of meteorologists, and who has more than three million subscribers, often opts for flashy graphics and deceptive provocations to increase engagement.
—Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 28 Jan. 2026
Chris Lee, Vulture, 2 Apr. 2026
Diplomatically, Ankara is likely to continue engaging Tehran in an effort to prevent further incidents, especially those that could be interpreted as deliberate provocations.
—Steve Mollman, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
Cheng was elected as party chairwoman late last year following a campaign that emphasized the need to temper the island’s provocations against the Communist regime.
—Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 30 Mar. 2026
What’s playing on that magical cranial monitor, however, is one half of the shadow self that lurks behind all of Yes‘ provocations.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 28 Mar. 2026
The relative said the good-natured victim brushed off Manessis’ past provocations.
—Nicholas Williams, New York Daily News, 4 Mar. 2026
No matter what agenda the president espoused—the economic pragmatism of Rafsanjani, the liberal aspirations of Mohammad Khatami, the populist provocations of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the nuclear diplomacy of Hassan Rouhani—Khamenei emasculated him.
—Karim Sadjadpour, The Atlantic, 28 Feb. 2026
The power couple has rarely responded to Trump’s provocations.
—Josh Meyer, USA Today, 7 Feb. 2026
Even one of the more reputable internet weather personalities, Ryan Hall, whose YouTube channel staffs a team of meteorologists, and who has more than three million subscribers, often opts for flashy graphics and deceptive provocations to increase engagement.
—Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 28 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for provocations
Noun
-
Some have looked to the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority’s development arm for incentives.—
Chris Higgins,
Kansas City Star,
31 Mar. 2026
-
For brands, variable changes tied to product design and material choices could create financial incentives to reduce environmental impact.—
Alexandra Harrell,
Sourcing Journal,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
All through the park, competitors and onlookers hit vapes and shout tips and encouragements into trees.—
Calin Van Paris,
Outside,
19 Mar. 2026
-
In October 2024 ahead of her own stay at MSG, Billie Eilish recorded encouragements to take the subways for environmental benefits.—
Hannah Dailey,
Billboard,
30 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Luis Alvarado, a Republican political analyst, says that Bianco has political motivations of his own.—
Laurie Perez,
CBS News,
30 Mar. 2026
-
The interior worlds of these women remain obscured and their motivations go unexplored.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
19 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Provocations.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/provocations. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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