provocation
noun
\
Definition of provocation
Keep scrolling for more
Synonyms for provocation
Synonyms
excitement, incitation, incitement, instigation
Visit the Thesaurus for More
Examples of provocation in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Many feared that China would not allow such deliberate acts of provocation go unpunished. — The Economist, "Hong Kong’s reputation is being damaged," 20 Aug. 2019 This extreme legislation is an act of provocation that will ripple through the South well before then. — Stephen Galloway, The Hollywood Reporter, "Hollywood Must Pull Out of Georgia," 7 June 2019 From the beginning there’s a sense of menace, of a silly provocation threatening to become who knows what. — Joe Morgenstern, WSJ, "‘Under the Tree’ Review: Neighbors at War," 5 July 2018 As the murders continue, her unacknowledged provocations escalate. — Julian Lucas, Harper's magazine, "New Books," 22 July 2019 Trump considered then ultimately aborted a kinetic strike in response to the provocation, but US Cyber Command was approved to launch a damaging cyberattack against Iran's rocket and missile launch control systems, however. — Lily Hay Newman, WIRED, "The Biggest Cybersecurity Crises of 2019 So Far," 5 July 2019 The officer opened fire after Kenneth French, 32, of Riverside, attacked him without provocation as the officer held his young child Friday night, according to police in Corona, about 40 miles (64 kilometers) east of Los Angeles. — Stefanie Dazio, SFChronicle.com, "Video could offer clues to why LA police officer shot at family, killing man at Costco store," 17 June 2019 This act was perceived as a provocation by members of a community whose entire village was once destroyed during colonial land grabs at the end of the 18th century. — Holly Eva Ryan, Quartz Africa, "Anti-Chinese protests in a Gambian fishing village show conflict of foreign investment in Africa," 27 June 2019 This provocation to Xi’s authority and ambition is not likely to go unmet in Hong Kong. — Charlie Campbell, Time, "Hong Kong’s Uprising Rattles the Mainland," 20 June 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'provocation.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
More Definitions for provocation
provocation
noun
English Language Learners Definition of provocation
See the full definition for provocation in the English Language Learners Dictionary
provocation
noun
\
Kids Definition of provocation
provocation
noun
\
Medical Definition of provocation
Keep scrolling for more
provocation
noun
\
Legal Definition of provocation
Keep scrolling for more