Finesentence

Provocation Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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provocation

provo-ca-tion

🇺🇸 /ˌpɹɑvəˈkeɪʃən/ · 🇬🇧 /pɹɒvəkˈeɪʃən/

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

in psychology

The action of provoking or inciting a person to anger or strong feelings.

Synonyms

incentive, instigation, stimulation.

Examples of usage

  • The article was seen as a deliberate provocation by the government.
  • Her behavior was a direct provocation to her colleagues.
Context #2 | Noun

in law

An act or speech that makes someone annoyed or angry, especially deliberately.

Synonyms

aggravation, annoyance, irritation.

Examples of usage

  • She was found guilty of assault and provocation.
  • The defense argued that the killing was done in the heat of passion and provoked by the victim.
Context #3 | Noun

general

Something that provokes, arouses, or stimulates.

Synonyms

challenge, incitement, stimulus.

Examples of usage

  • The movie is full of provocation and controversy.
  • His paintings are known for their boldness and provocation.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Quick facts about “provocation”

Provocation is a 3-syllable noun (provo-ca-tion). It is pronounced /ˌpɹɑvəˈkeɪʃən/ in American English and /pɹɒvəkˈeɪʃən/ in British English. On finesentence.com it has 3 meanings, 9 synonyms, and translations into 21 languages. It ranks #12,798 among the most common English words.

Origin of 'provocation'

The word 'provocation' originates from the Latin word 'provocatio', which means 'a calling forth'. In the English language, the term has evolved to encompass the act of inciting or stimulating someone's emotions, particularly anger or strong feelings. The concept of provocation has been studied in psychology, law, and general discourse, highlighting its diverse applications in different fields.

See also: provocateur, provocative, provocatively, provoke, provoker, provoking, provokingly, unprovoked.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #12,798, this word is part of sophisticated English vocabulary. It's useful for academic or professional contexts where precise language is needed.