noun
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the act of provoking or inciting
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something that causes indignation, anger, etc
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English criminal law words or conduct that incite a person to attack another
Other Word Forms
- nonprovocation noun
- overprovocation noun
- preprovocation noun
- provocational adjective
Etymology
Origin of provocation
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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
A disclaimer in Jeffrey Epstein’s email signature was a provocation as much as a warning: The contents of this message “may constitute inside information.”
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 18, 2026
On a second watch, “Sirāt” became a philosophical provocation — a movie that questions everything we believe about family and security and community and faith.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 10, 2026
This is a movement that thrives on provocation but panics when that very provocation carries consequences.
From Salon • Feb. 11, 2026
Miller developed his taste for controversy and provocation at a relatively early age.
From BBC • Feb. 8, 2026
The art of provocation was unknown to me, and I would sit with his map upon my lap, the wind blowing my dull, lanky hair, happy in his silence yet eager for his words.
From "Rebecca" by Daphne du Maurier
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
