This is the 4749th most frequent French word.
provocation
An act or speech that deliberately irritates or incites someone.
'Provocation' here denotes an action or statement that evokes a reaction, often intentionally or strongly, referring to the cause of debate.
La provocation de cette déclaration a engendré un débat houleux.
The provocation of this statement sparked a heated debate.
In this case, 'provocation' refers to an act or remark intended to make someone angry or upset and examining the response.
Il a réagi à la provocation avec calme et patience.
He responded to the provocation calmly and patiently.
Here, 'provocation' refers to an intentional act of provoking thought or reaction to challenge societal standards.