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
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of provoking
Dan Heching, CNN Money, 11 Oct. 2025
Eclectic and thought-provoking, these films ask urgent questions about our past, present and future, alongside deeply personal stories of resilience and triumph.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 6 Oct. 2025
Joey Skladany, Travel + Leisure, 1 Feb. 2026
The avant-garde, too, was fascinated by the idea of provoking psychological responses in spectators through art.
—Michael Cowan, Artforum, 1 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for provoking
Adjective
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
Eclectic and thought-provoking, these films ask urgent questions about our past, present and future, alongside deeply personal stories of resilience and triumph.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 6 Oct. 2025
Verb
Take in hundreds of thought-provoking pieces that at the Utah Museum of Fine Arts.
—Joey Skladany, Travel + Leisure, 1 Feb. 2026
The avant-garde, too, was fascinated by the idea of provoking psychological responses in spectators through art.
—Michael Cowan, Artforum, 1 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for provoking
Recent Examples of Synonyms for provoking
Adjective
-
Attorney to the stars Local sports teams suing one another is provocative, but not as sensational as those six weeks in 1998, when Babcock successfully defended Winfrey in Amarillo, where cattlemen brought suit after her TV show’s episode about mad cow disease.—
Brad Townsend,
Dallas Morning News,
19 Feb. 2026
-
The Saudis saw this as highly provocative, as unhelpful to the anti-Houthi coalition in Yemen, and as a threat, because of the Yemeni-Saudi border, to Saudi security.—
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Buying local products, providing local and state funding sources, supporting agricultural preservation programs, encouraging lawmakers to prioritize the importance of farming and supporting local agriculture education programs are partial solutions.—
Joe Dymek,
Baltimore Sun,
15 Feb. 2026
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Your 4th House of Home becomes a deep well as the nurturing Moon conjoins unearthing Pluto there, encouraging you to cleanse closets and clear emotional dust.—
Tarot.com,
The Orlando Sentinel,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
But what was really baffling was Cronin’s claim that the questioner was raising his voice.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Feb. 2026
-
That reality means balancing work, wellness and raising her young son, which has become the foundation for her latest collaboration with Fabletics.—
Casey DelBasso,
ABC News,
19 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
At a charged political moment, her relatively sober look seemed intended to keep the focus on POTUS.—
Vogue,
Vogue,
12 Dec. 2025
-
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
-
Your 3rd House of Communication receives a stimulating Solar Eclipse, creating a fresh channel for neighborhood ties and the everyday conversations that keep life moving.—
Tarot.com,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Key Takeaways Dandelion tea helps digestion and gut health by protecting liver health, stimulating bile production, and supporting a healthy microbiome (community of microbes in the gut).—
Cory Martin,
Verywell Health,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Even the smallest black dot of mold can affect your health by causing respiratory illnesses or triggering certain allergic reactions from breathing it in constantly.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
19 Feb. 2026
-
In cannabis hyperemesis syndrome, researchers believe higher and repeated doses of cannabis push the endocannabinoid system too far, triggering nausea, vomiting and relentless abdominal pain, according to Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital in Florida.—
Tribune News Service,
Baltimore Sun,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The dynamic Sun in your 10th House of Career and Status squares rebellious Uranus in your 1st House of Identity, stirring shifts in your visibility.—
Tarot.com,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Curiosity widens your world as the intuitive Moon enters your 9th House of Higher Learning, stirring questions about subjects and plans that reach beyond your daily routine.—
Tarot.com,
The Orlando Sentinel,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Prominent surfing family Van Dyke, originally from Santa Cruz, California, was recognized in the international surfing community for his participation in competitions and his influence in promoting the sport in the Caribbean region.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Irving, who was not playing in the All-Star Game, was traded to the Dallas Mavericks from the Brooklyn Nets in 2023 shortly after promoting an antisemitic film on his Twitter account and at first refusing to apologize for the tweet.—
Philissa Cramer,
Sun Sentinel,
16 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Provoking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/provoking. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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