Synonyms of provokes

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

• encourages
• stimulates
• stirs
• inspires
• arouses
• incites
• motivates
• excites
• instigates
• induces
• sparks
• moves
• motives
• triggers
• piques
• drives
• fires (up)
• ignites
• impassions
• revs (up)
• activates
• galvanizes
• inflames
• angers
• animates
• energizes
• bothers
• enrages
• foments
• builds a fire under
• kindles
• quickens
• fans
• keys (up)
• vitalizes
• sets off
• raises
• abets
• upsets
• ferments
• aggravates
• gets
• irritates
• teases
• taunts
• whips (up)
• annoys
• pumps up
• exasperates
• maddens
• vexes
• jeers
• galls

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• calms
• soothes
• subdues
• appeases
• placates
• pacifies
• tranquilizes
• mollifies

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

• raises
• encourages
• promotes
• triggers
• stimulates
• incites
• instigates
• foments
• cultivates
• stirs (up)
• abets
• inspires
• ferments
• whips (up)
• picks
• sets in motion
• brews
• fosters
• motivates
• furthers
• nurtures
• rouses
• nourishes
• activates
• excites
• detonates
• advances
• sows
• inflames
• sets off
• forwards
• energizes
• invigorates
• enlivens
• galvanizes
• quickens
• sets
• vitalizes
• fires
• peps (up)
• livens (up)
• jazzes (up)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• inhibits
• discourages
• holds
• regulates
• restrains
• constrains
• reins (in)
• curbs
• tames
• checks
• calms
• soothes
• subdues
• settles
• quiets
• allays
• bridles
• stills
• tranquilizes

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of provokes

In my own research, threatening a man’s sense of manhood – but not a woman’s womanhood – reliably provokes aggression, and the men who react most strongly are those who feel the most pressure to live up to masculine ideals. — Adam Stanaland, The Conversation, 20 July 2026

However, his light-hearted approach provokes the hostility of the church. — Leo Barraclough, Variety, 17 July 2026

Indeed, of all the mid-century American novels to stand the test of time, perhaps only On the Road provokes a comparably polarizing response among contemporary readers. — Book Marks, Literary Hub, 16 July 2026

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

The flurry of imagery provokes a surreal sort of whiplash. — Kyle Chayka, New Yorker, 2 Apr. 2026