# provocation

/ˌpɹɑvəˈkeɪʃən/ (US) · /pɹɒvəkˈeɪʃən/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/provocation
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. inciting a reaction

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

the act of doing something to make someone angry or to start a fight.

For teachers: 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.

### 2. a provocative act

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

a specific action or statement that is intended to cause a reaction.

For teachers: 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.

### 3. medical assessment

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

in medicine, checking what makes a patient's pain or symptoms feel worse.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- 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.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.