provoking 1 of 2

adjective

prə-ˈvō-kiŋ How to pronounce provoking (audio)
Definition of provokingnext
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

provoking

2 of 2

verb

present participle of provoke
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 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 provoking
Adjective
Always thought-provoking but never controversial, few were better at delivering a joke. — Chris Koseluk, HollywoodReporter, 17 June 2026 The ways the siblings cope with their versions of reality are quite different, quite haunting and quite thought-provoking. — Bethanne Patrick, Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2026
Verb
Trotting out this try-hard trifecta of confusing, uninspired installments in a year that’s seen so many entertaining, thought-provoking additions to the horror genre? — Jen Chaney, Vulture, 26 Sep. 2026 Tom Cruise‘s Digger is being called a very big swing of a dramatic satire that’s provoking very mixed reactions after the film’s first press screenings. — James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 23 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for provoking
Recent Examples of Synonyms for provoking
  1. provocative
  2. encouraging
  3. raising
  4. charged
  5. stimulating
  6. triggering
  7. stirring
  8. promoting
Adjective
  • The compelling series achieves a provocative dissection of it all with rare confidence without the overindulgence of distracting CGI tossed in for sheer spectacle.
    — Jeff Spry, Space.com, 17 Oct. 2026
  • The latest comments therefore seemed predictable to regular viewers, rather than unexpectedly provocative.
    — Omar L. Gallaga, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of provocative
Verb
  • Anti-Trumpers in Wichita are encouraging folks to attend the next No Kings Nationwide Day of Action on Saturday as a sort of rally warm-up.
    — Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 16 Oct. 2026
  • But in his statement Hannan argued labor and environmentalists aren’t stopping development, just encouraging it be done safely.
    — Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of encouraging
Verb
  • Those officers were not wearing body cameras, raising questions about why the agency still hadn't gotten the cameras out to officers in the field.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Similar federal lists in other states have proved highly inaccurate, raising concerns that eligible voters could be disenfranchised.
    — Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of raising
Adjective
  • The result is an urgent, propulsive song with a raw spirit and some of Pop’s most super-charged writing with deceptively simple lyrics about love and war, dripping with desperation.
    — Debby Wolfinsohn, Entertainment Weekly, 7 July 2026
  • 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
Definition of charged
Verb
  • The team also gave the muscle a workout, stimulating it with light for 15 minutes a day at two pulses per second.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Head spas are credited with cleansing the scalp, stimulating blood flow, strengthening hair follicles and lowering stress and anxiety.
    — Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of stimulating
Verb
  • Pandemic closures slashed membership by 55%, triggering a $40 million revenue collapse in 2020 that forced leadership to freeze hiring, defer capital projects, draw on reserves and adjust lender terms.
    — Chase Jordan October 14, Charlotte Observer, 14 Oct. 2026
  • The store owner was in Israel at the time, triggering a yearslong extradition process.
    — Monika Evstatieva, NPR, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of triggering
Verb
  • The story centers on two ex-lovers who come back into each other’s lives after spending decades apart, only to find old feelings stirring with messy and mixed results.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until browned all over and just cooked through, 3–4 minutes more.
    — Rebecca Firkser, Bon Appetit Magazine, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of stirring
Verb
  • This annual tradition provides live performances and holiday cheer while promoting donations to community food pantries.
    — Paula Wethington, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Swank announced her first pregnancy on Good Morning America in October 2022, while promoting her ABC crime series, Alaska Daily.
    — Kathleen Perricone, Entertainment Weekly, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of promoting

Browse Nearby Words

provokes
provoking
prowess
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Cite this Entry

“Provoking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/provoking. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

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