provocation   (Sound)

The noun provocation has 3 senses

• aggravation, irritation, provocation -- (unfriendly behavior that causes anger or resentment)


• incitement, incitation, provocation -- (something that incites or provokes; a means of arousing or stirring to action)


• provocation, incitement -- (needed encouragement; "the result was a provocation of vigorous investigation")