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
Dr. Keith Roach, oregonlive, 15 Apr. 2023
The results are as enlightening, thought-provoking and frequently amusing as the man himself.
—Jason Bailey, Chicago Tribune, 1 Apr. 2023
Nargess Banks, Forbes, 1 Jan. 2025
And Seoul, understandably, is wary of provoking a major breach with Washington.
—Robert E. Kelly, Foreign Affairs, 30 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for provoking
Adjective
In general, if there was a provoking factor (like surgery) that has gone away, most people do not need lifelong therapy.
—Dr. Keith Roach, oregonlive, 15 Apr. 2023
The results are as enlightening, thought-provoking and frequently amusing as the man himself.
—Jason Bailey, Chicago Tribune, 1 Apr. 2023
Verb
Audiences were invited to navigate a series of life-size dioramas and paintings, immersing themselves in a thought-provoking exploration of complex human experiences.
—Nargess Banks, Forbes, 1 Jan. 2025
And Seoul, understandably, is wary of provoking a major breach with Washington.
—Robert E. Kelly, Foreign Affairs, 30 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for provoking
Recent Examples of Synonyms for provoking
Adjective
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By the end, some of the provocative moves with the rattling bone piles will likely fuel criticism from the usual close-minded detractors.—
Tomás Mier,
Rolling Stone,
12 Apr. 2025
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And while the notion that Lennon and Ono came to understand America through its television programming is provocative, too frequently the collage of grim news and glib ads leans toward the tritely ironic.—
Tim Grierson,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Thursday’s swings also hit the bond market, which had been showing encouraging signals earlier in the day that stress may be easing.—
Time,
Time,
11 Apr. 2025
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At the time, Meta issued similar guidance, releasing an update that solved the breach and encouraging users to move to the latest version of WhatsApp.—
Daniel R. Depetris,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The biggest hurdle is raising the $160,000 needed to send 21 students and four chaperones across the Atlantic.—
La Risa R. Lynch,
Journal Sentinel,
24 Dec. 2024
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The suit alleges that millions of Times articles were used without authorization in training AI models, raising fundamental questions about intellectual property rights in the digital age.—
Sol Rashidi,
Forbes,
24 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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The ceremony came at a charged moment, coinciding with Columbia University canceling its graduation ceremony (and largely closing off its campus).—
David Matthews,
New York Daily News,
6 May 2024
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Of course, genocide is a charged and redolent term, recalling the systematic precision of the Holocaust and the society-wide butchery of the Rwandan genocide.—
Kristina Hook,
Foreign Affairs,
28 July 2022
Verb
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But at the time, the theory that providing children with stimulating activities would help them more than rote learning and academic drills was revolutionary.—
Sonja Anderson,
Smithsonian Magazine,
6 Jan. 2025
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For only the second time in at least a decade, top leaders last month made stimulating spending and domestic demand their top priority in 2025.—
Amanda Gerut,
Fortune Asia,
3 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Add the 3 ½ tablespoons butter and, stirring continuously, cook until the caramel reaches 238 degrees, 15 to 20 minutes more.—
Kelly Brant,
arkansasonline.com,
7 Jan. 2025
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Reduce heat to medium-low and cook, stirring often and making sure to scrape the bottom of the pot to keep the mixture from scorching, until the mixture reaches 230 degrees, about 30 minutes.—
Kelly Brant,
arkansasonline.com,
7 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The simple and accessible name is helping the brand and its followers create a one-of-a-kind community on all social media platforms, empowering innovative voices to join together in promoting hair health online.—
Kaitlyn Gomez,
USA TODAY,
8 Jan. 2025
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Fans booed everything from a Netflix mention to Hogan promoting Real American Beer, which Hogan owns alongside minority owner WWE.—
Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes,
8 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Known for inciting people of many backgrounds to pretend to long to be Irish for day, March 17 in Connecticut is generally considered a day to celebrate, drink green beer and eat corned beef or green bagels.—
Maureen Murphy,
Hartford Courant,
14 Mar. 2025
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He is suspected of inciting the deaths of thousands of Filipinos across the country after rising to power in 2016.—
Kyle Martin,
The Mercury News,
13 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Provoking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/provoking. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.
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