provocation
US /ˌprɑː.vəˈkeɪ.ʃən/
UK /ˌprɑː.vəˈkeɪ.ʃən/
1.
action or speech that makes someone annoyed or angry, especially deliberately
:
•
He reacted violently to the slightest provocation.
•
The police were trained to handle situations without provocation.
2.
something that causes a reaction or response
:
•
The new policy was a provocation for widespread protests.
•
His silence was a deliberate provocation.