Collocations for provocation - noun

extreme
deliberate

element
The victim's conduct had involved an element of provocation.

respond to
constitute (law)
Words alone can constitute provocation.

under provocation
The crime was committed under provocation.
The defendant was not acting under provocation.

without provocation
She attacked him without provocation.

at the slightest provocation
He would lose his temper at the slightest provocation.