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

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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 Along with their organization’s missions, the pair picked horror because of the conversations the genre provokes. — Isabelle Farina, Variety, 20 Oct. 2026 Another question, says Professor Trotti at Ithaca College, is whether a public execution portrays strength or provokes horror. — Patrik Jonsson, Christian Science Monitor, 10 Oct. 2026 In deceptively plain diction, the hurdle of one love relationship provokes an exploration of desire and belonging. — Literary Hub, 17 Sep. 2026 The development provokes a leadership shake-up on both committees, prompting speculation on who will fill the spots when the next Congress opens in January. — Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 10 Sep. 2026 The rooms were part of Kusama’s ongoing exploration of self-obliteration and her career-long ambition to create work that provokes a keen awareness of both one’s individual insignificance and place in the wider cosmic system. — Leah Dolan, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2026 Now, new research reveals this kind of high-intensity training provokes a remarkably robust response throughout the bloodstream. — Will Stone, NPR, 24 Aug. 2026 The film starts in nature, and the whole experience provokes ideas and inspires something closer to poetry than nostalgia. — Jesse Kirshbaum, SPIN, 7 Aug. 2026 The second provokes disappointment, but both provide closure. — Alejandro Cárdenas Villa, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for provokes
  1. encourages
  2. raises
  3. stimulates
  4. promotes
  5. stirs
  6. triggers
  7. inspires
  8. incites
Verb
  • As the train passes under the Royal Gorge Bridge, Clawson encourages me to open the cab window, lean back, and look up.
    — Sarah Kuta, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Nov. 2026
  • By featuring these leading organizations, the ranking sets a benchmark for employers across APAC and encourages businesses to place employee wellbeing, development, and inclusion at the core of their people strategies.
    — TIME Staff, Time, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of encourages
Verb
  • One of those pay packages gave thousands of civilian city workers raises of about 24% over five years.
    — David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 8 Nov. 2026
  • Mike Katz-Lacabe, the organization's research director, said the program raises questions about how drones will be monitored, who will have access to the footage and whether police can adequately oversee their own use of the technology.
    — Da Lin, CBS News, 7 Nov. 2026
Definition of raises
Verb
  • As the cooling metal tool depuffs swollen tissues and stimulates microcirculation, the peptide-rich cream works beneath the surface to rebuild structural volume.
    — Christa Joanna Lee, Glamour, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Cutting the tree stimulates vigorous root suckering, causing dozens of shoots to pop up and spread even further.
    — Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of stimulates
Verb
  • Moderate exercise often promotes normal digestion and may support regular bowel movements, Matthew Hoscheit, MD, a gastroenterologist at Cleveland Clinic, told Verywell.
    — Amber Raiken, Verywell Health, 2 Nov. 2026
  • As such, using the same sponge on different surfaces promotes the spread of any bacteria hiding in your sponge.
    — Sarah Everett, The Spruce, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of promotes
Verb
  • Skeleton Tree at Rumi’s Kitchen Perfect for the midnight cocktail hour, Rumi’s stirs together a black Manhattan with Persian spice.
    — Angela Hansberger, AJC.com, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Watching polygamous families, Surya says, stirs pity, judgment and empathy in her, as well as fascination with the camaraderie, rivalry and sisterhood between the women.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of stirs
Verb
  • The intense heat triggers a rapid reaction in which carbon bonds with silica to form silicon carbide, a ultra-hard, heat-tolerant compound.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 6 Nov. 2026
  • That single request triggers decisions about which data to pull, which accounts qualify, whether sensitive information should leave the organization and whether sending the email is even permitted.
    — Kumar Chivukula, Forbes.com, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of triggers
Verb
  • That dish inspires Grillbird’s glossy house sauce, sweetened just enough with pineapple juice and ketchup.
    — Allecia Vermillion, Bon Appetit Magazine, 2 Nov. 2026
  • The result is a near-perfect partner, who is doting and honest, and drives the villagers mad with envy — and inspires some nefarious actions from the likes of Elizabeth Debicki’s character, the tailor’s wife.
    — Rebecca Aizin, PEOPLE, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of inspires
Verb
  • Every day, there’s seemingly some new report or rumor that incites the social media machine.
    — Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 22 July 2026
  • The rule will also apply to any team official who incites players to leave the field of play in protest.
    — Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 3 June 2026
Definition of incites

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Cite this Entry

“Provokes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/provokes. Accessed 11 Nov. 2026.

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