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
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 provokes
This ends up being just one of Aemond’s defining moments, which further provokes war.
—
Skyler Trepel,
PEOPLE,
22 June 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
Likewise, JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon recently warned that the bond market will ultimately prove to be the factor that provokes some action from DC when investors begin to demand higher premiums to continue buying debt.
—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
20 May 2026
But the question of what is true or not is futile, even if Calle deliberately provokes this curiosity.
—
Elisa Wouk Almino
editor,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Apr. 2026
The flurry of imagery provokes a surreal sort of whiplash.
—
Kyle Chayka,
New Yorker,
2 Apr. 2026
The visual effect provokes strikes, but the vibrations also stimulate the receptors in a bass's lateral line.
—
Bryan Hendricks,
Arkansas Online,
29 Mar. 2026
At work, Paige (Elle Chapman) punches a coworker who provokes her with truly unkind remarks about her father's death.
—
Jessica Radloff,
Glamour,
21 Mar. 2026
Skyler Trepel,
PEOPLE,
22 June 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
Likewise, JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon recently warned that the bond market will ultimately prove to be the factor that provokes some action from DC when investors begin to demand higher premiums to continue buying debt.
—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
20 May 2026
But the question of what is true or not is futile, even if Calle deliberately provokes this curiosity.
—
Elisa Wouk Almino
editor,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Apr. 2026
The flurry of imagery provokes a surreal sort of whiplash.
—
Kyle Chayka,
New Yorker,
2 Apr. 2026
The visual effect provokes strikes, but the vibrations also stimulate the receptors in a bass's lateral line.
—
Bryan Hendricks,
Arkansas Online,
29 Mar. 2026
At work, Paige (Elle Chapman) punches a coworker who provokes her with truly unkind remarks about her father's death.
—
Jessica Radloff,
Glamour,
21 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for provokes
Verb
-
Rissetto encourages her patients to cut back on alcoholic beverages.
-
Reclaiming this original spirit encourages leaders to prioritize ethical conduct, the common good, and judge individuals by their actions and inherent potential, fostering inclusive and merit-based environments.
Verb
-
At present, the union is pushing for 11% raises each year for three years — a proposal that the CSU has not yet responded to.
-
This close work between the private entity – usually Google – and law enforcement throughout the geofence warrant process raises significant privacy and civil liberties concerns.
Verb
-
This hormone improves insulin sensitivity and stimulates GLP-1 secretion.
-
Deadheading petunias stimulates fuller, bushier growth and constant blooms, says Funk.
Verb
-
Critics argued the required reading list promotes Christianity over religious diversity and civil rights while blurring the constitutional separation of church and state.
-
In short, the new office combines MENALAC's regional expertise with IAAPA's global scale and creates a structure which promotes information sharing.
Verb
-
Cancer June 21 – July 22 This morning stirs feelings close to home.
-
Atlantic tropics are quiet while Pacific stirs In the Atlantic basin, forecasters are predicting a quiet stretch of weather.
Verb
-
Mamdani triggers emergency plan for heat On Monday, June 29, the mayor's office announced the activation of a Heat Emergency plan, preparing cooling centers across the city, alongside other options for New Yorkers stuck outside.
-
Destruction of mammalian tissues typically triggers a complex mix of responses from the immune and repair systems.
Verb
-
July 23 – August 22 Leo, your playful spark inspires teamwork now.
-
SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe.
Verb
-
The rule will also apply to any team official who incites players to leave the field of play in protest.
-
The catalyst of all the tragedy that Bear incites is the One Wish Willow, a kitschy antique toy that promises to grant one (literal) wish for whoever snaps it in half.
Cite this Entry
“Provokes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/provokes. Accessed 1 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
