provocation
- 01 C1 Advanced
the act of doing something to make someone angry or to start a fight.
the act of deliberately inciting or annoying someone into a specific, often aggressive, response.
Simple“He reacted with anger to the constant provocation from his classmates.”
In context“The diplomat maintained his composure despite the clear provocation from the opposing delegation during the press conference.”
UsageOften used in the phrase 'without provocation' to describe an unprovoked attack.
SynonymsAntonymspacificationappeasement - 02 C1 Advanced
a specific action or statement that is intended to cause a reaction.
a specific stimulus, event, or action that serves to provoke a reaction.
Simple“The new law was seen as a direct provocation by the local community.”
In context“Military exercises near the border were interpreted as a deliberate provocation intended to test the nation's defensive readiness.”
UsageCountable in this sense, referring to specific instances or events.
- 03 C2 Proficiency
in medicine, checking what makes a patient's pain or symptoms feel worse.
the investigation of factors that exacerbate or alleviate a patient's symptoms during a clinical assessment.
Simple“The doctor asked about provocation to see if movement made the chest pain worse.”
In context“During the physical examination, the clinician noted that mechanical provocation of the joint significantly increased the patient's discomfort.”
UsageCommonly used within the OPQRST mnemonic for pain assessment.
SynonymsexacerbationAntonymspalliation
“There have been clashes and tensions along the DMZ in the decades since, along with accusations from both sides of provocations, including dropping balloons carrying rubbish and propaganda .”
“North Korea has denounced major United States-South Korea military drills set to start next week as a provocation that heightens tensions on the Korean Peninsula.”
From Middle English provocacioun, from Old French provocacion, from Late Latin prōvocātiō, prōvocātiōnem, from Latin prōvocō. Doublet of provokatsiya.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.