provocation
Incitement to react
Provocation is something that incites a response, usually anger or retaliation.
An insult can be a provocation; so can a border incursion.
The word often appears in legal contexts where someone claims their actions were responses to being provoked: He argued the assault was committed under extreme provocation.
Without provocation means unprompted: The dog attacked without provocation.
Protecting oneself from harm
- justificationReason proving rightness
- duressCoercion through threats
- defenseProtection against harm
- mitigationReduction of severity
manslaughter · incitement · entrapment · proportionality · premeditation · retaliation
Disturbed, restless state
- rabble-rousingInciting mob sentiment
- fomentationStirring up trouble
- inflammationProtective tissue response
- stirringArousing strong emotion
sedition · instigation · goading · fomenting · inflammatory · incendiary · demagoguery · rabble-rouser
Scornful ridicule or travesty
- ridiculeContemptuous mocking treatment
- jeerVocal expression of scorn
- gibeScornful teasing remark
- sneerScornful expression
derision · scoff · heckle · tease · baiting · goading · needling · ribbing
Aggressive repeated intimidation
- intimidationDeliberate fear-inducing pressure
- trollingProvoking reactions online
- baitingDeliberately trying to provoke
- badgeringPersistent harassment or nagging
goading · pestering · hounding · tormenting · abuse · targeting · cyberbullying · stalking
What prompts a reaction
- catalystAgent enabling change
- sparkTiny fiery particle
- impetusForce initiating action
- spurIncentive or heel device
prompt · cause · instigation · activation · flashpoint · tinderbox · tripwire · ignition
Antagonistic disposition toward others
- aggressionHostile or attacking behavior
- confrontationDirect hostile encounter
- animosityActive, bitter hostility
- belligerenceWarlike aggression
defiance · enmity · friction · discord · strife · contention · opposition · combativeness
self-defense
Protecting oneself from harm
- justificationReason proving rightness
- duressCoercion through threats
- defenseProtection against harm
mitigation · manslaughter · incitement · entrapment · proportionality · premeditation · retaliation
agitation
Disturbed, restless state
- rabble-rousingInciting mob sentiment
- fomentationStirring up trouble
- inflammationProtective tissue response
stirring · sedition · instigation · goading · fomenting · inflammatory · incendiary · demagoguery · rabble-rouser · firebrand
mockery
Scornful ridicule or travesty
sneer · derision · scoff · heckle · tease · baiting · goading · needling · ribbing · razzing
bullying
Aggressive repeated intimidation
- intimidationDeliberate fear-inducing pressure
- trollingProvoking reactions online
- baitingDeliberately trying to provoke
badgering · goading · pestering · hounding · tormenting · abuse · targeting · cyberbullying · stalking · mobbing
stimulus
What prompts a reaction
spur · prompt · cause · instigation · activation · flashpoint · tinderbox · tripwire · ignition · precipitant
hostility
Antagonistic disposition toward others
- aggressionHostile or attacking behavior
- confrontationDirect hostile encounter
- animosityActive, bitter hostility
belligerence · defiance · enmity · friction · discord · strife · contention · opposition · combativeness · pugnacity
affront
Deliberate public insult
- slightMinor or thin
- indignityHumiliating or degrading treatment
- disrespectLack of regard
snub · offense · outrage · slur · dig · barb · put-down · slap · jab · rebuff
- avant-gardeDada, Dadaism, Futurism, Constructivism, Cabaret Voltaire
- dirty trickscheating, lying, deceit, trickery, deception
- intimidationthreats, threatening, menacing, intimidate, bullying
- tauntstaunts, taunt, taunting, neener neener, insults
- troublemakingtroublemaker, troublemaking, instigate, agitator, instigating
- promptsprompt, prompts, prompting, cue, hint
provocationappeasement
Satisfying demands to prevent conflict
pacification · calming · soothing · placation · mollification
provocationcompliment
Words expressing approval
honor · respect · deference · peace offering · olive branch
provocationdisincentive
Factor discouraging action
deterrent · prevention · discouragement · deterrence · inhibition
- provocative languageSpeech intended to provoke
- provocative artArt intended to challenge
- provocative contentMatter intended to inflame
- provocative themesSubjects intended to challenge
- provocative styleManner intended to disturb