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
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
James Mercadante, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025
The fish-out-of-water comedy costarred Sam Shepard and reminded audiences of Keaton’s deft skills at leading a movie that mixed the funny with the dramatic and thought-provoking.
—Dan Heching, CNN Money, 11 Oct. 2025
Duane Byrge, HollywoodReporter, 1 Apr. 2026
Those forces may give the president more leverage in his negotiations, but also risk fueling Tehran's resentment and provoking a harsher response, analysts say.
—Anniek Bao, CNBC, 26 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for provoking
Adjective
The 2024 three-part docuseries American Nightmare dives headfirst into several thought-provoking issues, like victim blaming and the glaring inadequacies in the criminal justice system.
—James Mercadante, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025
The fish-out-of-water comedy costarred Sam Shepard and reminded audiences of Keaton’s deft skills at leading a movie that mixed the funny with the dramatic and thought-provoking.
—Dan Heching, CNN Money, 11 Oct. 2025
Verb
In essence, Bright Lights, Big City, instead of being emotionally provoking and riveting, is distressingly gray and tedious, enlivened only by Fox’s gifted histrionics.
—Duane Byrge, HollywoodReporter, 1 Apr. 2026
Those forces may give the president more leverage in his negotiations, but also risk fueling Tehran's resentment and provoking a harsher response, analysts say.
—Anniek Bao, CNBC, 26 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for provoking
Recent Examples of Synonyms for provoking
Adjective
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Who gets to tell the story is, to me, one of the most interesting and provocative questions in any dynamic, particularly a family one.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Like Butler, Matsoukas is known for her provocative brand of storytelling and its unique and inherently multicultural point of view.—
Angelique Jackson,
Variety,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Former clients described Motta encouraging people to get surgeries, and others discussed one particularly shameless episode in which a large church van, crammed with prospective plaintiffs, intentionally collided with a truck.—
Patrick Radden Keefe,
New Yorker,
13 Apr. 2026
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Reframe aging as a life stage of capability and purpose rather than decline, encouraging earlier conversations across families, workplaces, and communities.—
Aimee DeCamillo,
Fortune,
12 Apr. 2026
Verb
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But critics argue lawmakers merely shifted money around while leaving deeper tax, spending and cost-of-living pressures for the next administration, raising a bigger accountability question for voters this fall.—
Baltimore Sun staff,
Baltimore Sun,
16 Apr. 2026
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If passed, the bill would refer a question to the ballot asking voters whether to invest more in K-12 education -- specifically for teacher pay and retention, smaller class sizes, and expanded career and technical education -- without raising taxes.—
Shaun Boyd,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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At a charged political moment, her relatively sober look seemed intended to keep the focus on POTUS.—
Vogue,
Vogue,
12 Dec. 2025
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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
Verb
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The brand promises results in four weeks—we’re talking reduced fine lines, dullness, and dark circles, along with improved elasticity, thanks to collagen-stimulating regrowth that encourages a more youthful appearance.—
Lauren Pardee,
InStyle,
13 Apr. 2026
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In mice, researchers have already been stimulating mice with ultrasound.—
Paul Sisson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Apr. 2026
Verb
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More complicated commercial cases were on hold and took longer, triggering at least some delay.—
A.D. Quig,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Apr. 2026
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That kind of stuff is still kind of triggering.—
Gabrielle Starr,
Boston Herald,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Then, in the army, Jung Kook worked in the kitchen, stirring giant pots, even on weekends — feeding the troops right, seven days a week.—
Brian Hiatt,
Rolling Stone,
13 Apr. 2026
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Cook stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens, 2 to 3 minutes.—
Carole Kotkin,
Miami Herald,
13 Apr. 2026
Verb
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PowerSchool had become so influential that in 2023, its CEO was invited to speak at the White House during an event promoting cybersecurity in education.—
Mike Levine,
ABC News,
14 Apr. 2026
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Ahead of its world premiere, Streep and Hathaway have been on an international tour promoting The Devil Wears Prada 2.—
Armando Tinoco,
Deadline,
13 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Provoking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/provoking. Accessed 17 Apr. 2026.
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