as in provocative
serving or likely to arouse a strong reaction
the host's provoking opinions are the reason why people tune in to his radio talk show in the first place
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in encouraging
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in raising
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
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Recent Examples of provoking
Veronique Greenwood, Quanta Magazine, 8 Sep. 2025
Adam Crafton’s interview with him was thought-provoking.
—Phil Hay, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2025
Leo Barraclough, Variety, 22 Oct. 2025
Skims is no stranger to bold and thought-provoking products, having previously caused a stir with its controversial line of face wraps.
—Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 18 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for provoking
Adjective
To other researchers not involved in the project, the images in the paper and the revelations about the tubules’ structure are thought-provoking.
—Veronique Greenwood, Quanta Magazine, 8 Sep. 2025
Adam Crafton’s interview with him was thought-provoking.
—Phil Hay, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2025
Verb
This tender, wry and thought-provoking story offers a different perspective on looking for love, regret and the ‘what if’ of it all.
—Leo Barraclough, Variety, 22 Oct. 2025
Skims is no stranger to bold and thought-provoking products, having previously caused a stir with its controversial line of face wraps.
—Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 18 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for provoking
Recent Examples of Synonyms for provoking
Adjective
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One of the official accounts, @GovPressOffice, has seen nearly 1 billion impressions on X since those first provocative posts in June, per Newsom's campaign.—
Brittany Shepherd,
ABC News,
2 Nov. 2025
-
But Bugonia’s provocative premise doesn’t yield a sci-fi thriller.—
Shirley Li,
The Atlantic,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Police are encouraging anyone with knowledge of the crash to come forward with further details.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
PEOPLE,
31 Oct. 2025
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Several viewers shared more helpful solutions, with some encouraging the woman to ask a pest control professional for help.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Still, the project adds another exclusive tier to a venue already marked by VIP enclaves, raising questions about how much of COTA’s most distinctive real estate will remain truly accessible — and for how long.—
Patrick Iversen,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
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The key to raising emotionally resilient kids is the ability to repair.—
Daniella Gray,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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What Happens Next Greene is likely to continue stoking controversy by breaking with her party, as conversations around immigration remain charged and divisive.—
Alia Shoaib,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Oct. 2025
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For context, geomagnetic storms are caused by fiery eruptions from the sun's surface that send charged particles zipping toward our planet.—
Tom Brown,
Space.com,
20 May 2025
Verb
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Aside from giving each strain their unique smell, terpenes also contribute to effects where some may be sedating (linalool, terpinene, myrcene), stimulating (limonene, pinene) and have medicinal benefits (caryophyllene, beta caryophyllene).—
Carly Fisher,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
29 Oct. 2025
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Save more serious, heavier pruning for shaping and stimulating new growth for late winter or spring.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The experiment was successful, triggering hair growth.—
Angelica Stabile,
FOXNews.com,
2 Nov. 2025
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Why was right tackle Larry Borom back on the field immediately after his false start turned a 4th and 1 into a 4th and 6, triggering a rare public display of rage by McDaniel, before Riley Patterson missed a 35-yard field goal?—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Without wiping Dutch oven clean, add onions; cook over medium-high, stirring often, until softened and beginning to brown, 6 to 8 minutes.—
Jasmine Smith,
Southern Living,
30 Oct. 2025
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Cook the beef until brown, stirring occasionally to break up the meat into pistachio-sized bites.—
Karla Walsh,
Better Homes & Gardens,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
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He was seen in the video speaking to a man next to where the conservative group was promoting an upcoming appearance by political comedian Alex Stein.—
Peter D'Abrosca,
FOXNews.com,
29 Oct. 2025
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Its campaign calling for the protection of American culture from invaders has raised eyebrows, and prompted accusations by the Southern Poverty Law Center's Hatewatch Project, of promoting a White, Christian nationalist agenda.—
NPR,
NPR,
29 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Provoking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/provoking. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.
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