Synonyms of provoking

provoking 1 of 2

adjective

prə-ˈvō-kiŋ 

as in provocative

serving or likely to arouse a strong reaction

the host's provoking opinions are the reason why people tune in to his radio talk show in the first place

Synonyms & Similar Words

• provocative
• charged
• motivating
• inciting
• exciting
• motivational
• stimulating
• instigating
• motivative
• triggering
• edgy
• inflammatory
• instigative
• inspiring
• piquing
• inducing
• explosive
• incendiary
• inspirational
• activating
• teasing
• energizing
• upsetting
• fiery
• annoying
• aggravating
• maddening
• irritating
• vitalizing
• exasperating
• taunting
• quickening
• vexing
• vexatious
• galvanizing
• irksome
• jeering
• bothersome
• enraging
• angering
• pesky
• galling

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• noninflammatory
• subduing

provoking

2 of 2

verb

present participle of provoke

1

as in encouraging

to rouse to strong feeling or action

his teasing finally provoked her to anger

bees generally will not sting unless they are provoked

Synonyms & Similar Words

• encouraging
• stimulating
• stirring
• arousing
• inciting
• inspiring
• sparking
• moving
• motivating
• instigating
• exciting
• inducing
• triggering
• driving
• firing (up)
• revving (up)
• igniting
• piquing
• impassioning
• angering
• motiving
• inflaming
• activating
• galvanizing
• energizing
• fanning
• fomenting
• building a fire under
• enraging
• bothering
• animating
• kindling
• vitalizing
• quickening
• upsetting
• abetting
• teasing
• taunting
• setting off
• fermenting
• raising
• jeering
• keying (up)
• pumping up
• whipping (up)
• maddening
• aggravating
• getting
• irritating
• exasperating
• annoying
• vexing
• galling

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• calming
• soothing
• subduing
• appeasing
• tranquilizing
• placating
• pacifying
• mollifying

2

as in raising

to bring (something volatile or intense) into being

rankings that are sure to provoke an argument among film buffs

Synonyms & Similar Words

• raising
• triggering
• encouraging
• promoting
• inciting
• stimulating
• instigating
• fomenting
• cultivating
• abetting
• stirring (up)
• picking
• fermenting
• brewing
• whipping (up)
• inspiring
• fostering
• setting in motion
• motivating
• furthering
• forwarding
• nurturing
• detonating
• advancing
• rousing
• sowing
• nourishing
• exciting
• galvanizing
• activating
• inflaming
• setting off
• energizing
• invigorating
• enlivening
• setting
• vitalizing
• firing
• quickening
• jazzing (up)
• pepping (up)
• livening (up)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• inhibiting
• regulating
• restraining
• discouraging
• holding
• checking
• curbing
• constraining
• taming
• soothing
• calming
• subduing
• settling
• quieting
• bridling
• reining (in)
• allaying
• stilling
• tranquilizing

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of provoking

Adjective

Always thought-provoking but never controversial, few were better at delivering a joke. — Chris Koseluk, HollywoodReporter, 17 June 2026

The ways the siblings cope with their versions of reality are quite different, quite haunting and quite thought-provoking. — Bethanne Patrick, Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2026

Verb

Videos also surfaced allegedly showing two teachers being attacked by students, provoking condemnation from the French president and officials as well as teaching unions. — Joseph Ataman, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2026

Trotting out this try-hard trifecta of confusing, uninspired installments in a year that’s seen so many entertaining, thought-provoking additions to the horror genre? — Jen Chaney, Vulture, 26 Sep. 2026