provocation
Action or speech that makes someone annoyed or angry, especially deliberately.
Provocation refers to an act that incites a reaction, often anger or aggression. In legal contexts, it can sometimes be used as a partial defense, suggesting that the defendant's actions were a direct, immediate response to extreme provocation.
Word relationships
- incitement: Incitement is more direct in urging unlawful action, often with a specific criminal outcome in mind. Provocation is an act that makes someone angry, which might lead to unlawful action, but isn't necessarily a direct call to it.
- goading: To provoke or annoy (someone) to stimulate some action or reaction, often persistently.
- conciliation: The action of stopping someone from being angry; appeasement.
- pacification: The act of quelling anger, agitation, or excitement; bringing about peace.
Commonly confused with
- aggression: Aggression is hostile or violent behavior. Provocation is the cause of such behavior, not the behavior itself.
Word family
- provoke (verb): to stimulate or incite (someone) to do or feel something, especially by arousing anger in them
- provocative (adjective): causing annoyance, anger, or another strong reaction, especially deliberately
Collocations
- act of provocation
- extreme provocation
- without provocation
- deliberate provocation
Example sentences
- "The lawyer argued that the defendant acted under extreme provocation, leading to a reduced charge." His constant teasing was a clear provocation.
- "The protesters remained peaceful despite the provocations from counter-demonstrators." Avoiding provocation is key to de-escalating conflicts.
Memory hook
A 'PROVOCATION' is a 'PRO-VOCAL' act meant to get a rise out of someone. Call forth anger
When not to use
Do not use 'provocation' for neutral or positive stimuli. It specifically implies an action intended to annoy, anger, or incite a negative reaction.
Fun facts
- In legal systems, 'provocation' can sometimes reduce a murder charge to manslaughter, if the defendant acted in the heat of passion due to extreme provocation.
- The concept of 'provocation' is also relevant in international relations, where certain actions by one state might be considered a provocation by another.
Related words
Explore more words
provoke, provocative, goad, bait, rile
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