Synonyms of provokes

provokes

verb

present tense third-person singular of provoke

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

• encourages
• stimulates
• stirs
• inspires
• arouses
• incites
• motivates
• excites
• instigates
• induces
• sparks
• moves
• motives
• triggers
• piques
• drives
• fires (up)
• ignites
• impassions
• revs (up)
• activates
• galvanizes
• inflames
• angers
• animates
• energizes
• bothers
• enrages
• foments
• builds a fire under
• kindles
• quickens
• fans
• keys (up)
• vitalizes
• sets off
• raises
• abets
• upsets
• ferments
• aggravates
• gets
• irritates
• teases
• taunts
• whips (up)
• annoys
• pumps up
• exasperates
• maddens
• vexes
• jeers
• galls

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• calms
• soothes
• subdues
• appeases
• placates
• pacifies
• tranquilizes
• mollifies

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

• raises
• encourages
• promotes
• triggers
• stimulates
• incites
• instigates
• foments
• cultivates
• stirs (up)
• abets
• inspires
• ferments
• whips (up)
• picks
• sets in motion
• brews
• fosters
• motivates
• furthers
• nurtures
• rouses
• nourishes
• activates
• excites
• detonates
• advances
• sows
• inflames
• sets off
• forwards
• energizes
• invigorates
• enlivens
• galvanizes
• quickens
• sets
• vitalizes
• fires
• peps (up)
• livens (up)
• jazzes (up)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• inhibits
• discourages
• holds
• regulates
• restrains
• constrains
• reins (in)
• curbs
• tames
• checks
• calms
• soothes
• subdues
• settles
• quiets
• allays
• bridles
• stills
• tranquilizes

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of provokes

Homer, the enigmatic poet, still provokes and inspires us all. — John Blake, CNN Money, 2 Aug. 2026

The second provokes disappointment, but both provide closure. — Alejandro Cárdenas Villa, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026

In my own research, threatening a man’s sense of manhood – but not a woman’s womanhood – reliably provokes aggression, and the men who react most strongly are those who feel the most pressure to live up to masculine ideals. — Adam Stanaland, The Conversation, 20 July 2026

However, his light-hearted approach provokes the hostility of the church. — Leo Barraclough, Variety, 17 July 2026

Indeed, of all the mid-century American novels to stand the test of time, perhaps only On the Road provokes a comparably polarizing response among contemporary readers. — Book Marks, Literary Hub, 16 July 2026

Another friend recounted the ins-and-outs of her 11-year-old’s baseball league, which provokes more political intrigue than a Hilary Mantel novel. — Mary Pauline Lowry, PEOPLE, 5 July 2026

His jealousy provokes an act of betrayal and cruelty. — Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 18 June 2026

Such a statistic often provokes a familiar gamut of responses from those who read it, from shock, disgust and anger to a debilitating sense of helplessness. — Megan Feringa, New York Times, 3 June 2026