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
Without provocation, the victim was shot by one of the individuals.
—
Ryan Schwartz, TVLine, 15 Aug. 2024
But the provocations only continued, according to the lawsuit.
—Kizzy Cox, Essence, 12 Aug. 2024
No one knew what casual bit of conversation my mother might take as a political provocation.
—Xochitl Gonzalez, The Atlantic, 12 Aug. 2024
The family of a North Texas man killed in a standoff with deputies is suing the Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office, alleging that deputies intentionally set a fire at the man’s home while attempting to execute an arrest warrant and then shot him without provocation.
—James Hartley, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for provocation 
Ryan Schwartz, TVLine, 15 Aug. 2024
But the provocations only continued, according to the lawsuit.
—Kizzy Cox, Essence, 12 Aug. 2024
No one knew what casual bit of conversation my mother might take as a political provocation.
—Xochitl Gonzalez, The Atlantic, 12 Aug. 2024
The family of a North Texas man killed in a standoff with deputies is suing the Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office, alleging that deputies intentionally set a fire at the man’s home while attempting to execute an arrest warrant and then shot him without provocation.
—James Hartley, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for provocation
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'provocation.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near provocation
Cite this Entry
“Provocation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/provocation. Accessed 25 Aug. 2024.
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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