Provocation Meaning
/ˌpɹɑvəˈkeɪʃən/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounThe act of provoking, inciting or annoying someone into doing something.
nounSomething that provokes; a provocative act.
Sentence Examples
The band of Indians were ready to go on the warpath at the slightest provocation.
She lost her temper at the slightest provocation.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
None
CEFR Practice Quiz
The insult was an intentional ____ designed to make him lose his temper.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The lawyer argued that his client had acted in response to extreme ____ from the other party.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English provocacioun, from Old French provocacion, from Late Latin prōvocātiō, prōvocātiōnem, from Latin prōvocō. By surface analysis, provoke + -ation. Doublet of provokatsiya.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"The Salzburg Festival stunned the musical world by hiring him to succeed the hallowed Herbert von Karajan, and Mr. Mortier spent the 1990s there scandalizing many of its tradition-minded, well-heeled opera patrons, the most notorious provocation being a production of Johann Strauss’s “Fledermaus” laced with cocaine and fornication and aimed at Austria’s far-right political forces."
— 2007 February 28, Daniel J. Wakin, “City Opera Lures Director From Paris”, in The New York Times, archived from the original on 25 Jan 2021:
Explore More B2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The insult was an intentional ____ designed to make him lose his temper.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The lawyer argued that his client had acted in response to extreme ____ from the other party.