provocation

[ prov-uh-key-shuhn ]

noun

1. the act of provoking. provoking.
2. something that incites, instigates, angers, or irritates.
3. Criminal Law. words or conduct leading to killing in hot passion and without deliberation.

provocation

/ ˌprɒvəˈkeɪʃən /

noun

1. the act of provoking or inciting
2. something that causes indignation, anger, etc
3. English criminal law words or conduct that incite a person to attack another

Other Words From

• provo·cation·al adjective
• nonprov·o·cation noun
• over·provo·cation noun
• preprov·o·cation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of provocation¹

1375–1425; late Middle English < Latin prōvocātiōn- (stem of prōvocātiō ) a calling forth, equivalent to prōvocāt ( us ) (past participle of prōvocāre to provoke; -ate ¹ ) + -iōn- -ion

Example Sentences

And she found herself in the right place at the right time: Hollywood at the dawn of the ’60s, “with its appeal to the irrational and the unreal,” writes Anolik, “its provocation of desire and volatility; its worship of sex and spectacle.”

From Los Angeles Times

We know that this provocation strategy would throw Trump way off balance.

From Salon

The Telegraph's Robbie Collin awarded it five stars, writing: "Queer doesn’t scrimp on provocation and pleasure, but it’s also a beautiful film about male loneliness, and the way a solitary life can so easily shade into a life sentence."

From BBC

The drones allegedly scattered propaganda leaflets over Pyongyang in what the North described as a provocation that could lead to "armed conflict and even war".

From BBC

Pelosi’s visit and her open support for Taiwan was seen by Beijing as a huge provocation – coming close to a formal recognition of the government here by a very senior US politician.

From BBC

Related Words

• affront
• harassment
• indignity
• insult