That in itself could be construed as a distinctly provocative action.

The president's provocative action is not entirely surprising.

She has repeatedly called for a "time out" from provocative actions like new construction in disputed territory.

Such provocative action compelled the Publicity Committee to reduce the paper's size from eight pages to four.

That is a provocative - some would say outrageous - action.

President Johnson refused to take such a provocative action, however, and such an operation was not implemented until 1972.

What we're making clear is that the provocative action happened on one side of the ledger.

'Oh, we've told the police that under no circumstances will we take any provocative action from them.'

It has also asked the Turkish authorities to refrain from different provocative actions.

If Saddam and his regime contemplate further illegal, provocative action they can be certain of our response.