What was he doing, to provoke a confrontation this way?

Nor is it yet the time to provoke a confrontation.

He was not willing to provoke a confrontation in front of the little people.

Here he seems to want to provoke confrontation and punishment.

The move provoked a sharp public confrontation between the parties.

There was no point in provoking a confrontation over things which would possibly never come to crisis.

Such a move would most likely provoke a confrontation with President Clinton.

That tactic, opposition politicians say, is likely to provoke further confrontation.

Some said the police provoke confrontations by invading their neighborhood.

But the Pentagon said Iraq had not yet provoked a military confrontation.