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
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
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
-
Avoid over feeding plants, which encourages foliage to grow at the expense of blooms.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
3 Oct. 2025
-
Guadagnino encourages our doubts, shooting Maggie in exaggerated horror-movie closeups set to the doomy bass notes and shrieking winds of Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross’s score.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The birds, sourced from Jurgielewicz Farms, an Amish producer in Pennsylvania that raises Peking ducks exclusively, are hung to dry overnight.—
Mackensy Lunsford,
Nashville Tennessean,
2 Oct. 2025
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In painting such a devastating picture of Biden, Harris raises questions about her own political judgment.—
Book Marks
October 2,
Literary Hub,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The caffeine in coffee stimulates the nervous system.—
Team Verywell Health,
Verywell Health,
25 Sep. 2025
-
Connie and Tristan are testing a new drug that stimulates the feel-good dopamine receptors in the brain.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA, was speaking at an event as part of a national speaking tour and sponsored by the campus chapter of the organization, which promotes conservative principles among students across the country.—
Michael Ruiz,
FOXNews.com,
6 Oct. 2025
-
The agency also promotes the province to the major studios and streamers and other foreign producers looking to shoot movie and TV originals locally.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
6 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The Ryder Cup, too, stirs intense concentrations of emotion given the team format.—
Kevin Coulson,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
-
You're being pulled beneath the surface and something ancient stirs in the black below.—
Meredith G. White,
AZCentral.com,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
When executed properly, the process triggers endless reactions to make energy for electricity.—
Jordan Blum,
Fortune,
2 Oct. 2025
-
When Hernán helps Julia and her young daughter, Maribel, navigate treacherous borderlands, their desperate journey triggers the wrath of a ruthless trafficking syndicate.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
What inspires you to make music these days?—
Andre Gee,
Rolling Stone,
2 Oct. 2025
-
Take a trip back in time and see how Ali still inspires Louisville 50 years later.—
Ray Padilla,
Louisville Courier Journal,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Set after the Norman invasion of England, Rob (Patten) witnesses the execution of his father, a Saxon forester, which incites him to rebel.—
Nick Romano,
Entertainment Weekly,
22 Sep. 2025
-
The platform bans content that glorifies violence, incites harm or celebrates attacks.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
13 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Provokes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/provokes. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
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