The term provocation, besides its generic meaning of "an act to be a cause of something", has the following technical meanings.

• Provocation, a type of defense in court.
• Provocation within a (political) group as a means to disrupt its activity or obtain some other desired response.
• Provocation, a way of medical testing, e.g., for allergy.
• Provoke was Altar's third, and final release on Displeased Records.
• Provoked is a forthcoming British film starring Aishwarya Rai and Naveen Andrews.

The term provocative is also used to indicate the intention to shock social norms.