provocación

provocation

noun proh-boh-kah-SYOHN Rare

Origin: From Latin provocatio, from provocare (to call forth).

Also means

incitement

Usage Note

Provocación can describe both a deliberate act meant to irritate (a taunt) and a broader political or military incitement. The phrase no ceder ante la provocación (not to yield to provocation) is a common political formula. The verb is provocar, which can also simply mean 'to cause' (provocar un accidente) — a wider semantic range than the English false friend 'provoke'.

Examples

"Ignoró la provocación y siguió caminando."

Natural Translation

He ignored the provocation and kept walking.

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