provocation
n. C / Un. an action or statement that is intended to make someone angry or cause a strong reaction. You use this word when someone is trying to start a fight or an argument on purpose.
n. an action or speech that makes someone annoyed or angry, especially deliberately. Often used in legal or psychological contexts to describe a catalyst for a subsequent aggressive response.
He reacted violently to the slightest provocation.
The diplomat warned that any further military exercises near the border would be seen as a direct provocation.
The defendant's counsel argued that the physical altercation was not unprovoked, but rather a predictable response to months of verbal provocation and harassment.
From Middle English provocacioun, from Old French provocacion, from Late Latin prōvocātiō, prōvocātiōnem, from Latin prōvocō. Doublet of provokatsiya.
Uncountable when referring to the general act of provoking; countable when referring to specific instances or events.