provocation
/provocation/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: 1. An action or event that deliberately causes anger, annoyance, or strong feeling: Something said or done to make someone react, often with anger or irritation. 2. The act of provoking someone or something: The action of deliberately trying to cause a reaction. 3. (Law) Action or speech held to be likely to cause an ordinary person to react violently: In a legal context, it refers to an act that might cause a reasonable person to lose self-control.
Usage
- The word "provocation" is a countable noun. You can have or .
- It is often used with verbs like , , , , and .
- Common prepositions used with it are (provocation to anger), (a reason for provocation), and (acting without provocation).
Examples
As a cause for reaction:
- The insult was a deliberate provocation.
- He remained calm despite severe provocation.
- The soldier was trained not to fire without direct provocation.
In a legal or formal context:
- The defense argued that the crime was committed under extreme provocation.
- Her constant teasing was seen as sufficient provocation for his angry response.
Advanced Usage
- Under provocation: Describes the state of being provoked. >
- Act of provocation: A formal phrase emphasizing a specific provocative action. >
Variants and Related Words
- Provocative (adjective): Causing annoyance, anger, or another strong reaction, especially deliberately. (e.g., )
- Provoke (verb): To stimulate or give rise to a reaction or emotion, typically a strong or unwelcome one. (e.g., )
Synonyms
- Incitement: The action of provoking unlawful behavior or urging someone to behave in an unlawful way.
- Goading: Provoking or annoying someone to stimulate a reaction.
- Irritant: Something that causes irritation or annoyance.
- Affront: An action or remark that causes outrage or offense.
Antonyms
- Pacification: The action of calming someone or ending conflict.
- Deterrent: A thing that discourages or prevents a particular action.
- Pleasantry: An amusing or polite remark made to put someone at ease.
Idioms and Phrases
- Without provocation: For no apparent reason; not caused by any action from others. >
- Rise above the provocation: To not allow oneself to be upset or angered by someone's attempts to provoke. >
Noun
- needed encouragement
- the result was a provocation of vigorous investigation
- something that incites or provokes; a means of arousing or stirring to action
- unfriendly behavior that causes anger or resentment