provocation

/provocation/
Học thuật
Thân thiện
provocation

The journalist's question was a clear provocation.

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
  1. 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.
  2. 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. >
provocation

The journalist's question was a clear provocation.

Noun
  1. needed encouragement
    • the result was a provocation of vigorous investigation
  2. something that incites or provokes; a means of arousing or stirring to action
  3. unfriendly behavior that causes anger or resentment