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 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 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
  1. encourages
  2. raises
  3. stimulates
  4. promotes
  5. stirs
  6. triggers
  7. inspires
  8. incites
Verb
  • The adolescent’s ability to use their phone to access social media and continuous news, interact with artificial intelligence and play games often broadens their perspectives and encourages individual creativity.
    — Elizabeth Dowdell, Fortune, 15 July 2026
  • The framework encourages avoiding tobacco, staying physically active, getting sufficient sleep and eating a nutritious diet built around fruits, vegetables, lean protein, nuts, seeds and healthy fats like olive oil.
    — Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 14 July 2026
Definition of encourages
Verb
  • That raises concerns about how organizations secure environments used for model development, testing, and evaluation.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 21 July 2026
  • But that usually happens before a company gains substantial traction and raises a significant amount of money.
    — Rashi Shrivastava, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
Definition of raises
Verb
  • The Chinese variant actually stimulates economic activity as corrupt officials sell the rights to monetize unproductive state assets to private enterprises.
    — Andy Browne, semafor.com, 14 July 2026
  • Ancient techniques include Kobido, a Japanese holistic massage that restores balance and stimulates the muscles through rhythmic tapping and fast hand movements across the face and neck.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 July 2026
Definition of stimulates
Verb
  • Moene argues that this wage compression promotes innovation and dynamism by boosting the profitability of growth industries and by lowering profits in lagging industries.
    — Nicholas D. Kristof, Mercury News, 14 July 2026
  • The insect also produces large amounts of sticky honeydew, which promotes the growth of black sooty mold—a plant disease—that can interfere with photosynthesis and coat leaves, branches, and outdoor surfaces.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 July 2026
Definition of promotes
Verb
  • Innovative Uranus stirs your 3rd House of Communication, trining transformative Pluto in your 11th House of Friends and Community.
    — Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 18 July 2026
  • Atlantic tropics are quiet while Pacific stirs In the Atlantic basin, forecasters are predicting a quiet stretch of weather.
    — Doyle Rice, USA Today, 22 June 2026
Definition of stirs
Verb
  • Inhaling these particles triggers inflammation, increasing risks of cardiovascular complications and stroke, particularly for vulnerable populations like children, older adults, and those with chronic conditions.
    — Jamie Gold, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
  • Many couples pick a dollar amount that triggers a conversation before either partner spends it, whether that is $100 or $500.
    — Ashley Lynch, Sacbee.com, 21 July 2026
Definition of triggers
Verb
  • Joyous Jupiter lifts your 9th House of Travel and Learning, while elusive Neptune inspires your 5th House of Creativity.
    — Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 20 July 2026
  • La Albiceleste, which means The White and Sky Blue and is the nickname of Argentina’s team, also inspires another churro in the collection.
    — Sarah Moreno Updated July 18, Miami Herald, 18 July 2026
Definition of inspires
Verb
  • 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
  • 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
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 22 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of provokes for Spanish Speakers

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