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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of provoking
Veronique Greenwood, Quanta Magazine, 8 Sep. 2025
Adam Crafton’s interview with him was thought-provoking.
—Phil Hay, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2025
Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 23 Oct. 2025
This tender, wry and thought-provoking story offers a different perspective on looking for love, regret and the ‘what if’ of it all.
—Leo Barraclough, Variety, 22 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for provoking
Adjective
To other researchers not involved in the project, the images in the paper and the revelations about the tubules’ structure are thought-provoking.
—Veronique Greenwood, Quanta Magazine, 8 Sep. 2025
Adam Crafton’s interview with him was thought-provoking.
—Phil Hay, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2025
Verb
There are several reasons why the Carter catastrophe concept should be considered thought-provoking rather than definitive.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 23 Oct. 2025
This tender, wry and thought-provoking story offers a different perspective on looking for love, regret and the ‘what if’ of it all.
—Leo Barraclough, Variety, 22 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for provoking
Recent Examples of Synonyms for provoking
Adjective
-
That’s the question posed by a provocative ad running ahead of screenings at this year’s Thessaloniki Film Festival, highlighting the dire state of film funding in Greece.—
Christopher Vourlias,
Variety,
7 Nov. 2025
-
This mother makes what the star did in the equally provocative Mother seem like child’s play.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
There was a lot to like about Jovic’s performance on Saturday, with Heat veteran guard Norman Powell pushing and encouraging him along the way.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Salt-n-Pepa also joined in, and the group of artists concluded the set with a call-and-response moment alongside the crowd, encouraging everyone to scream along.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
It is measured in the millions of students striving for opportunity—most of them raising children, working jobs, serving in uniform, or making rent and mortgage payments with other bills competing for their attention.—
Yolanda Watson Spiva,
Fortune,
8 Nov. 2025
-
One person might earn more while the other contributes in different but equally meaningful ways, like managing the home, raising kids and planning for the future.—
Annie Nova,
CNBC,
8 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
What Happens Next Greene is likely to continue stoking controversy by breaking with her party, as conversations around immigration remain charged and divisive.—
Alia Shoaib,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Oct. 2025
-
For context, geomagnetic storms are caused by fiery eruptions from the sun's surface that send charged particles zipping toward our planet.—
Tom Brown,
Space.com,
20 May 2025
Verb
-
Aside from giving each strain their unique smell, terpenes also contribute to effects where some may be sedating (linalool, terpinene, myrcene), stimulating (limonene, pinene) and have medicinal benefits (caryophyllene, beta caryophyllene).—
Carly Fisher,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
29 Oct. 2025
-
Save more serious, heavier pruning for shaping and stimulating new growth for late winter or spring.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The Telegraph, which has published anti-BBC commentary for years, reported on the existence of the memo on November 3, triggering days of controversy in the United Kingdom.—
Brian Stelter,
CNN Money,
9 Nov. 2025
-
The move comes after a single campus, the Leadership Academy at Forest Oak Sixth Grade, received five straight F ratings, triggering a state law that requires the commissioner to intervene.—
Silas Allen,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Like something stirring within a stone, or the stone itself.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Nov. 2025
-
The feature opens as Magda’s son returns from the front to this world without men, with his arrival stirring a growing unease among the group.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Weng has been offered a new research project that will contribute to the improved reliability and effectiveness of legged robotic systems by advancing evaluation standards and by promoting transparency regarding the capabilities – and limitations – of these systems, according to a press release.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
5 Nov. 2025
-
While the Bridgerton star has been promoting the Wicked sequel, he has also been given the title of PEOPLE’s Sexiest Man Alive for 2025.—
Gabrielle Rockson,
PEOPLE,
5 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Provoking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/provoking. Accessed 12 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share