1
as in encourages
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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in raises
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
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Recent Examples of provokes
Mercury in Sagittarius provokes your mind to venture into uncharted territory.
—
Usa Today, USA Today, 29 Oct. 2025
Blue Film provokes and captivates in equal measure, with the naked honesty of a black box off-off-Broadway play.
—Jourdain Searles, HollywoodReporter, 28 Oct. 2025
Through her restraint, Roberts provokes in us some semblance of empathy for her character – in a movie where everyone else is basically monstrous.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 10 Oct. 2025
Every action provokes a reaction.
—Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
After a sleepy start to the second half at Old Trafford, the arrival of Benjamin Sesko, and the relocation of Cunha into a deeper position, provokes a fresh wave of interest.
—Jack Lang, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2025
Usa Today, USA Today, 29 Oct. 2025
Blue Film provokes and captivates in equal measure, with the naked honesty of a black box off-off-Broadway play.
—Jourdain Searles, HollywoodReporter, 28 Oct. 2025
Through her restraint, Roberts provokes in us some semblance of empathy for her character – in a movie where everyone else is basically monstrous.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 10 Oct. 2025
Every action provokes a reaction.
—Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
After a sleepy start to the second half at Old Trafford, the arrival of Benjamin Sesko, and the relocation of Cunha into a deeper position, provokes a fresh wave of interest.
—Jack Lang, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for provokes
Verb
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Instead of scrolling through Instagram—or, admittedly, hitting the snooze button a few too many times—Vig encourages you to spend that time sprucing up your space.—
Kelsey Mulvey,
Southern Living,
31 Oct. 2025
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In children and adolescents, physical activity promotes bone health; encourages healthy growth and the development of muscle; and improves motor and cognitive development.—
Hannah Millington,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The union has argued that an election would extend an already prolonged process, and raises opportunities for complications and appeals.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
30 Oct. 2025
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Sympathetic, apparently, to Geralt’s quest to save Ciri, Regis decides to join the gang on the road — though a closing shot of Regis privately savoring the scent of Geralt’s blood on a cloth raises some troubling questions for the show to answer down the road.—
Scott Meslow,
Vulture,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Mercury entering Sagittarius today stimulates your creative faculties.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
29 Oct. 2025
-
The low-level, external electrical charge stimulates the body’s internal repair mechanism.—
Scott Lafee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Simulating natural light is one of many ways biophilic design promotes wellness.—
Maya Chawla,
Architectural Digest,
3 Nov. 2025
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There may not be campaign materials, including clothing that promotes or disparages any candidate on the ballot within 100 feet of the entrance to polling places.—
Natalie Davies,
Freep.com,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Yet, beneath this comforting picture, another reality stirs.—
Matthew Kayser,
USA Today,
3 Nov. 2025
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Something stirs beneath the surface as this mystifying energy takes hold, inviting us to explore the shadows, confront the truth and rise into transformation.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Nitrogen triggers new growth that will be killed when freezing temperatures hit.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
31 Oct. 2025
-
Trading below $1 over a consecutive 30 trading-day period triggers a warning.—
Annie Palmer,
CNBC,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
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This reflection is what inspires the characters’ personal reflections, their detailing of the mythopoetic wonder of their proximity to the land, their intense solidarity with one another, and their fervent attachment to their individual and collective past.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
30 Oct. 2025
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Beyond the shock factor, Crow hopes her video inspires others with old jetted tubs to check theirs, and encourages empathy for people maintaining older homes.—
Jordan Greene,
PEOPLE,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
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And when her romance with Denji threatens to become lethal, their love story turns twisted and incites a series of battles that could destroy Tokyo.—
Frank Scheck,
HollywoodReporter,
23 Oct. 2025
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This is the kind of rhetoric that incites violence.—
Marni Rose McFall,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Provokes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/provokes. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.
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