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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of provocation
The website, the rituals, the rice and vinegar, are all part of a larger gesture, a provocation, a question.
—
Ellen O'Connell Whittet
june 25, Literary Hub, 25 June 2025
His Paris diary, by contrast, is a jumble of clichés and misfired provocations.
—Thomas Meaney, New Yorker, 2 July 2025
Her career encompasses blockbusters, rom-coms, arthouse fare, and works of provocation, with notable examples being Batman & Robin (1997), Les Misérables (1998), The House That Jack Built (2018), Red, White & Royal Blue (2023), and Oh, Canada (2024).
—Allison Degrushe Published, EW.com, 2 July 2025
The exhibition has been organized by theme, and looks at the designers’ embrace of provocation; menswear and tailoring; historical costume, and the female body.
—Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 1 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for provocation
Ellen O'Connell Whittet
june 25, Literary Hub, 25 June 2025
His Paris diary, by contrast, is a jumble of clichés and misfired provocations.
—Thomas Meaney, New Yorker, 2 July 2025
Her career encompasses blockbusters, rom-coms, arthouse fare, and works of provocation, with notable examples being Batman & Robin (1997), Les Misérables (1998), The House That Jack Built (2018), Red, White & Royal Blue (2023), and Oh, Canada (2024).
—Allison Degrushe Published, EW.com, 2 July 2025
The exhibition has been organized by theme, and looks at the designers’ embrace of provocation; menswear and tailoring; historical costume, and the female body.
—Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 1 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for provocation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for provocation
Noun
-
Fan engagement is up, and innovations like the Pit Boost have added excitement.—
Jenn Nelson,
Forbes.com,
15 July 2025
-
Christen expressed her excitement in her Instagram Story shortly after uploading the news to her feed.—
Skyler Caruso,
People.com,
15 July 2025
Noun
-
As an example, traditional regulatory efforts tend to be seen as restrictive, while industrial policy typically incorporates enabling incentives to stimulate private or public sector action.—
Paulo Carvão,
Forbes.com,
19 July 2025
-
Too quick of a shift could lead many aging rice farmers to just retire, while large commercial farms may need more incentives to switch back to producing mainly rice over other crops.—
Miranda Jeyaretnam,
Time,
18 July 2025
Noun
-
To put it into perspective, the two 2020 and one 2021 stimulus checks issued to Americans from the stimulus package totaled around $931 billion in financial relief via the stimulus checks, according to reports from the Government Accountability Office in 2022.—
Joyce Orlando,
Nashville Tennessean,
25 July 2025
-
The big story China’s economy requires more than short-term stimulus, even as deflationary pressures intensify.—
Evelyn Cheng,
CNBC,
23 July 2025
Noun
-
This served as a mighty impetus to spur the Space Race.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
22 July 2025
-
Devastating seizures in young children were the impetus for the compensation program.—
Patricia Callahan,
CNN Money,
18 July 2025
Noun
-
Axios reported last month that Trump stopped short of endorsing Rogers during a February dinner at Mar-a-Lago with Republican senators, but offered encouragement.—
M.L. Elrick,
Freep.com,
23 July 2025
-
Others shared words of encouragement and admiration for Savage.—
Colson Thayer,
People.com,
22 July 2025
Noun
-
Being direct with people earns their respect faster than any lecture about motivation.—
Marek Niedzwiedz,
Forbes.com,
15 July 2025
-
That has provided motivation for the 21-year-old receiver.—
Sean Hammond,
Chicago Tribune,
13 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Provocation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/provocation. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share