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
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
The aroma of coffee brewing reliably provokes desire.
—Literary Hub, 13 Feb. 2026
Deadline can reveal the first trailer for the radical love story revolving around Suzanne and undocumented migrant Osmane, whose relationship provokes a wave of anger and indignation all around them, forcing them to resist.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 10 Feb. 2026
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
The aroma of coffee brewing reliably provokes desire.
—Literary Hub, 13 Feb. 2026
Deadline can reveal the first trailer for the radical love story revolving around Suzanne and undocumented migrant Osmane, whose relationship provokes a wave of anger and indignation all around them, forcing them to resist.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 10 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for provokes
Verb
-
Each line encourages a body to shift when uttered or even when read silently to oneself.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 May 2026
-
To her daughter, 8-year-old Hazel (Nola Wallace), Paula is the fun parent, a mom who encourages ice cream for dinner, embraces cursing, enthusiastically participates in TikTok dances, and even coaches her daughter’s youth soccer team.—
Erin Qualey,
Vulture,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
For some, the sudden enforcement raises questions about why the city is acting now and whether there are other ways to address violations without arrests, confiscations and criminal penalties.—
Laura Rodríguez Presa,
Chicago Tribune,
2 June 2026
-
The decision followed two hours of debate and multiple failed motions — including a proposal to lower police raises — as leaders attempted to balance equity concerns with budget constraints.—
Nick Sullivan,
Charlotte Observer,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
Grounding might include a Ku Nye full-body massage inspired by ancient Tibetan healing traditions that stimulates the meridian system, acupressure, kneading, deep-tissue techniques and a Tibetan head massage.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
3 June 2026
-
Bloodwork found that Fasone was experiencing elevated levels of prolactin, the hormone secreted by the pituitary gland that stimulates lactation and influences fertility.—
Adam Harrington,
CBS News,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
Plus, even when cleaned, the rough, rusty surface promotes more clinging clippings and the problem continues.—
Megan Hughes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
6 June 2026
-
An electric boat promotes responsible experiences, operating emission-free and with reduced noise pollution.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
At least once a week, Dahrouge or Goetz goes to nearby wetlands, stirs shin-deep water and collects silty samples filled with arthropods, daphnia and other macroscopic critters the salamanders will eat.—
Nathan Rott,
NPR,
27 May 2026
-
Her decision stirs conflicts with her husband (Bernal), daughter (Noomi Rapace), and AI assistant (Beanie Feldstein), revealing the humorous complexity of their relationships.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
22 May 2026
Verb
-
Both are subject to disruption from the Milky Way's gravity, which triggers bursts of star formation within them and rips away a stream of gas from both, called the Magellanic Stream.—
Keith Cooper,
Space.com,
7 June 2026
-
This temperature disparity triggers a phenomenon known as the Weibel instability, which generates the magnetic fields.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
6 June 2026
Verb
-
In that, Diesel x Tinder feels real and raw, skipping performative activism for something that informs and inspires.—
Stacia Datskovska,
Footwear News,
1 June 2026
-
Naturally, this inspires a patio refresh, and Pottery Barn’s Outdoor Sale couldn’t have come at a better time.—
Nicol Natale,
PEOPLE,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
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.—
Christian Zilko,
IndieWire,
14 May 2026
-
Frying is an art, perhaps plied nowhere with such efficiency and aplomb as at this lively lunch counter, where the very air seems to crackle and the scent of pork incites the blood.—
Ligaya Mishan,
New York Times,
11 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Provokes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/provokes. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.
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