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.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
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
-
Prosecutors are citing the provocative act theory, a part of the law that makes someone liable for situations where a violent crime victim uses lawful, fatal self-defense.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
24 Oct. 2025
-
Experts earlier said North Korea could conduct provocative missile tests before or during the APEC summit to underscore its commitment to gain recognition as a nuclear weapons state.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
In low, incantatory voices, the lamas were reading from The Tibetan Book of the Dead, encouraging my grandmother to move forward without fear in the bardo between death and rebirth.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Oct. 2025
-
But rather than responding with anger, the university’s president, Astrid Tuminez, is encouraging dialogue.—
Steven P. Dinkin,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
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
-
The key to raising emotionally resilient kids is the ability to repair.—
Daniella Gray,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
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
-
Pneumococcal vaccines work by stimulating an immune system response to pneumonia bacteria.—
Helen Carefoot,
Flow Space,
20 Oct. 2025
-
The mouse portion of the new research found that Covid mRNA vaccination appeared to make the immune system more attuned to recognizing tumors as a threat by stimulating dendritic cells, a type of white blood cell.—
Kaitlin Sullivan,
NBC news,
19 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Less than 48 hours later, ICE shut down the block, barreling down Broadway against one-way traffic in armored vehicles, triggering national media attention and immediate protests.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
27 Oct. 2025
-
The newspaper said that one of the two men was planning to leave the country to Algeria, triggering the arrests.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
26 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Bring to a full rolling boil over medium-high, stirring occasionally.—
Jenavieve Christensen,
Better Homes & Gardens,
23 Oct. 2025
-
Keep your hips steady, and make small circles to the right with your forearms as if stirring a pot.—
Mallory Creveling,
Health,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
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
-
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 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share