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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of provokes
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
Fogel is always looking for the visual angle that provokes an emotional response.
—Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 22 Jan. 2026
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
Fogel is always looking for the visual angle that provokes an emotional response.
—Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 22 Jan. 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
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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
-
Heading removes the end of shoots or limbs and stimulates regrowth near the cut.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
28 May 2026
-
This stimulates native, beneficial bacteria and diverse fungi, creating natural competition that keeps the fairy ring fungus in check.—
SJ McShane,
Martha Stewart,
27 May 2026
Verb
-
Kristin Droege, executive director of Turn the Page KC, a nonprofit agency that promotes early literacy in Kansas City, said the program’s loss of state funding will hurt the families who took advantage of the free books and other services.—
Jack Harvel,
Kansas City Star,
29 May 2026
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Hitting the delete, unsubscribe and hide buttons can be natural reactions in a world that promotes consumerism.—
John Hall,
Forbes.com,
29 May 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
-
That's because June 1 triggers salary cap mechanisms for allowing the team to trade the star receiver.—
Armando Salguero,
FOXNews.com,
1 June 2026
-
By the time the 2030 census triggers the next redraw, virtually every state will redraw again, with partisan advantage as the primary goal.—
Bruce Sibley,
Time,
29 May 2026
Verb
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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
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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
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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
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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 5 Jun. 2026.
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