1
as in to encourage
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to raise
to bring (something volatile or intense) into being
rankings that are sure to provoke an argument among film buffs
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of provoke
The plan was apparently to provoke an Israeli response that would lead to condemnation from the usual suspects while pushing other Arab nations to line up in support of Hamas.
—
Editorial, Boston Herald, 26 May 2025
One of the provisions provoking outcry from Democrats is a measure that would restrict federal courts’ ability to enforce some injunctions.
—Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 25 May 2025
Walmart is the latest corporation to warn that select goods could soon cost more, a disclosure that provoked the president's wrath.
—Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 22 May 2025
But if Washington follows a few principles, such improvements will not necessarily provoke Chinese aggression.
—Oriana Skylar Mastro, Foreign Affairs, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for provoke
Editorial, Boston Herald, 26 May 2025
One of the provisions provoking outcry from Democrats is a measure that would restrict federal courts’ ability to enforce some injunctions.
—Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 25 May 2025
Walmart is the latest corporation to warn that select goods could soon cost more, a disclosure that provoked the president's wrath.
—Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 22 May 2025
But if Washington follows a few principles, such improvements will not necessarily provoke Chinese aggression.
—Oriana Skylar Mastro, Foreign Affairs, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for provoke
Recent Examples of Synonyms for provoke
Verb
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Overall, the diet encourages people to eat whole foods that are low in salicylates.—
Patty Weasler,
Verywell Health,
6 June 2025
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Musk, who spent almost $300 million on last year’s election, had also encouraged the primarying of lawmakers who voted for it.—
Christian Datoc,
The Washington Examiner,
6 June 2025
Verb
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At Davis’ arraignment Wednesday, prosecutors demanded bail raised to $300,000, but Yolo Superior Court Judge Clara Levers reluctantly let Davis’ bail stand ahead of his next appearance June 23 in Yolo Superior Court.—
Darrell Smith,
Sacbee.com,
29 May 2025
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But the inclusion of migrants, the vast majority of whom were not listed in CBP data as having been accused of any felonies, raises deeper questions about what kind of data belongs in a criminal database.—
Dhruv Mehrotra,
Wired News,
29 May 2025
Verb
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Just like weight-bearing exercises, the vibrations stimulate osteocytes, which send signals to the two other types of bone cells–osteoblasts and osteoclasts–to create new bone matter and recycle the old.—
Jia H. Jung,
Mercury News,
4 June 2025
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The electrode stimulates the nerve, opening the airway by moving the tongue forward.1 Hypoglossal nerve stimulation surgery can effectively resolve snoring for some.—
Sukaina Hasnie,
Verywell Health,
4 June 2025
Verb
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Pollard was promoted to be executive vice president in 1980 and then president and chief operating officer in 1981 before he was named ServiceMaster’s CEO in 1983, succeeding Wessner.—
Bob Goldsborough,
Chicago Tribune,
7 June 2025
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But on one March evening, these hulking installations were just a backdrop: Goose, and 1,000 of its most ardent fans, descended on the space for a special event promoting the ascendant Connecticut jam band’s new album, Everything Must Go (released April 25).—
Lyndsey Havens,
Billboard,
6 June 2025
Verb
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By stirring nationalist fervor and outsourcing conflict to criminal networks, Maduro avoids direct military confrontation — while escalating pressure on Guyana.—
Antonio Maria Delgado,
Miami Herald,
6 June 2025
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However, Venus square Pluto on June 9 could stir deep, hidden emotions or create power struggles that could potentially challenge your one-on-one connections.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
6 June 2025
Verb
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Even minutes of downtime can erode market trust, invite regulatory scrutiny and trigger systemic consequences.—
Srikanth Bellamkonda,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2025
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That passage marked the start of more frequent financial warnings from Dimon, including worries of a recession — which didn’t happen until the 2020 pandemic triggered a two-month contraction — as well as concerns around market meltdowns and the ballooning U.S. deficit.—
Hugh Son,
CNBC,
30 May 2025
Verb
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Cassie admitted that ecstasy made her feel euphoric and aroused, while ketamine would make her dissociative.—
Tracy Wright,
FOXNews.com,
25 May 2025
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Sidelining people who voiced those views aroused righteous wrath.—
Daniel Immerwahr,
New Yorker,
19 May 2025
Verb
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Saudi protests over Israeli actions in its operations against the Palestinian militant group Hamas have proven a sticking point for normalization talks and have incited an escalation of Saudi condemnation of Israel.—
Tom O'Connor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 June 2025
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If any judge or family member is harmed, the world will know who incited it.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
2 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Provoke.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/provoke. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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