Abstract: The article is devoted to the phenomenon of provocation in the ambivalent postmodern society. The article outlines the prerequisites for usage of provocations by social actors, among which are riskogenics, “liquidity of moral”, high socio-cultural dynamics resulting in increased rationalization of social interaction. The purpose of the article is researching provocation as social action with consideration of research results by modern scientists, as well as analysis of elements of provocation strategies, their nature and the possible targets of provocators. In terms of research methodology, the article is based on definition analysis and cross-disciplinary analysis of scientific sources on the subject of provocation. The findings have enabled the researcher to formulate a more precise definition of provocation than those suggested before in sociology and to make conclusions regarding the social essence of provocations. The results of the study showed that provocation is primarily a multi-stage process which is driven by an actor concealing his intentions, frequently corrupting moral standards and damaging the object of the provocation. The obtained results enable social scientists to pursue further research of the phenomenon of social provocation and may assist in resolving conflict situations.