Word
provocation
Phoneticsprovo·ca·tion
US/ˌpɹɑvəˈkeɪʃən/
UK/pɹɒvəkˈeɪʃən/
Definitions
01inciting a reaction
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Formal
n. the act of doing something to make someone angry or to start a fight.
n. the act of deliberately inciting or annoying someone into a specific, often aggressive, response.
“He reacted with anger to the constant provocation from his classmates.”
“The diplomat maintained his composure despite the clear provocation from the opposing delegation during the press conference.”
Usage
Often used in the phrase 'without provocation' to describe an unprovoked attack.
Synonyms
Antonyms
02a provocative act
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Formal
n. a specific action or statement that is intended to cause a reaction.
n. a specific stimulus, event, or action that serves to provoke a reaction.
“The new law was seen as a direct provocation by the local community.”
“Military exercises near the border were interpreted as a deliberate provocation intended to test the nation's defensive readiness.”
Usage
Countable in this sense, referring to specific instances or events.
03medical assessment
C2 · Proficiency Uncountable noun Medicine Technical
n. in medicine, checking what makes a patient's pain or symptoms feel worse.
n. the investigation of factors that exacerbate or alleviate a patient's symptoms during a clinical assessment.
“The doctor asked about provocation to see if movement made the chest pain worse.”
“During the physical examination, the clinician noted that mechanical provocation of the joint significantly increased the patient's discomfort.”
Usage
Commonly used within the OPQRST mnemonic for pain assessment.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Real-World Examples
“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.” Etymology
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.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/provocation