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
Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 20 Mar. 2026
Collections and designers put their best foot forward, delivering high-caliber collections — some were uplifting, others were thought-provoking, most were both.
—Laure Guilbault, Vogue, 30 Jan. 2026
Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 29 May 2026
What started in 2024 as the two-day Outside Festival at Civic Center moves to the Auraria Campus, expanding to three days of music, film, thought-provoking speakers and outdoors culture.
—John Meyer, Denver Post, 28 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for provoking
Adjective
Gosling voices the film’s thought-provoking questions about victimization and villainy with full commitment, and his rigidity — that tall posture, those limitless eyes — add another layer to the work.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 20 Mar. 2026
Collections and designers put their best foot forward, delivering high-caliber collections — some were uplifting, others were thought-provoking, most were both.
—Laure Guilbault, Vogue, 30 Jan. 2026
Verb
Some of us like sophisticated classical music, while others like thought-provoking theater.
—Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 29 May 2026
What started in 2024 as the two-day Outside Festival at Civic Center moves to the Auraria Campus, expanding to three days of music, film, thought-provoking speakers and outdoors culture.
—John Meyer, Denver Post, 28 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for provoking
Recent Examples of Synonyms for provoking
Adjective
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Make your kick-off intriguing or provocative to inspire viewers to read on.—
William Arruda,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
-
And not all of his merchandise is provocative.—
Lyz Lenz,
Rolling Stone,
28 May 2026
Verb
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Cuts expected to remain include a sharp reduction in zoning investigators, the elimination of a fee waiver encouraging sidewalk repairs and cuts to the city’s bomb squad.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 June 2026
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Efforts to increase births have accelerated in recent years as the full scale of the population crisis has become clearer, with new policies ranging from childbirth and housing subsidies to encouraging more fathers to take paternity leave.—
Yumi Asada,
CNN Money,
7 June 2026
Verb
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So, climbing one rung higher and losing to a different team will lead to raising the Cup?—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
11 June 2026
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Elon Musk's mega-conglomerate SpaceX made history on Thursday, raising $75 billion in the biggest initial public offering on record.—
John Ruwitch,
NPR,
11 June 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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Apollo Neuro reviews have been piling up across the internet as more people try the wearable device that aims to rebalance the nervous system by stimulating the vagus nerve.—
Samantha Agate,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 June 2026
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In a new study published in PLOS, researchers analyzed 161 fossils with a new rapid and non-destructive protocol, based on stimulating the bone remains with an external energy source, called luminescence.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
6 June 2026
Verb
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The 2026 Social Security Trustees Report moved the program’s day of reckoning squarely into the next presidential term, projecting that the retirement trust fund will be depleted in 2032 — triggering an automatic 22% cut to every retirement and survivor benefit.—
Teresa Ghilarducci,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
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Iran’s hold over the critical Middle Eastern passageway has discouraged activity in the area, triggering a sweeping blockage of oil tankers and a global energy emergency.—
Emily Hallas,
The Washington Examiner,
10 June 2026
Verb
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In this early 19th-century rebirth of backcountry religion, traveling ministers preached a fiery gospel of grace, stirring large crowds with their open-air sermons.—
Matthew Smith,
The Conversation,
8 June 2026
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Add the pasta and cook according to package directions, stirring occasionally, until al dente.—
Kelly McCarthy,
ABC News,
8 June 2026
Verb
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The probiotics help support gut health by promoting a balanced microbiome, the community of microbes that live in your digestive tract and influence digestion, immunity, and mood.—
Lauren Panoff,
Verywell Health,
8 June 2026
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Nobody should ever resort to violence to resolve conflict, especially someone tasked with promoting peace.—
JT Moodee Lockman,
CBS News,
8 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Provoking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/provoking. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.
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