provocation
noun
prov·o·ca·tion
ˌprä-və-ˈkā-shən 
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
Masters of provocation, the Nazi paramilitaries often marched through left-wing neighborhoods, hoping for violent altercations.
—
Time, 23 Oct. 2025
The Joint Chiefs added that the South’s military remains ready to repel any provocations by North Korea based on its solid military alliance with the United States.
—CNN Money, 22 Oct. 2025
Putin has warned that supplying these missiles to Ukraine would be a provocation.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 17 Oct. 2025
DishBrain was a scientific provocation.
—Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for provocation
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Time, 23 Oct. 2025
The Joint Chiefs added that the South’s military remains ready to repel any provocations by North Korea based on its solid military alliance with the United States.
—CNN Money, 22 Oct. 2025
Putin has warned that supplying these missiles to Ukraine would be a provocation.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 17 Oct. 2025
DishBrain was a scientific provocation.
—Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for provocation
Cite this Entry
“Provocation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/provocation. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
provocation
noun
prov·o·ca·tion
ˌpräv-ə-ˈkā-shən
1
: the act of provoking
2
: something that provokes
Medical Definition
provocation
noun
prov·o·ca·tion
ˌpräv-ə-ˈkā-shən
: 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
1
: the act of provoking
2
: something that provokes, arouses, or stimulates
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