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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of provoke
The latter film was made in cooperation with Iranian authorities and provoked anger from Woman Life Freedom supporters for the fact the female cast members all covered their hair.
—
Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 16 Sep. 2025
Meanwhile, Kennedy has reportedly asked health officials to compile data linking COVID vaccines to poor pregnancy outcomes—a measure that seems destined to provoke even greater anxiety.
—Yasmin Tayag, The Atlantic, 16 Sep. 2025
Last week, Poland shot down Russian drones that entered its air space, provoking NATO to invoke Article 4.
—Jonathan Easley, The Hill, 15 Sep. 2025
After provoking the ire of the college kids, Madea and her clan are subjected to a series of ghoulish pranks.
—Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 14 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for provoke
Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 16 Sep. 2025
Meanwhile, Kennedy has reportedly asked health officials to compile data linking COVID vaccines to poor pregnancy outcomes—a measure that seems destined to provoke even greater anxiety.
—Yasmin Tayag, The Atlantic, 16 Sep. 2025
Last week, Poland shot down Russian drones that entered its air space, provoking NATO to invoke Article 4.
—Jonathan Easley, The Hill, 15 Sep. 2025
After provoking the ire of the college kids, Madea and her clan are subjected to a series of ghoulish pranks.
—Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 14 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for provoke
Recent Examples of Synonyms for provoke
Verb
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Knocking down webs on your porch and around entries will encourage spiders to move on to somewhere else.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
19 Sep. 2025
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Readers should not rely solely on the content of this article and are encouraged to seek professional advice tailored to their specific circumstances.—
William Jones,
USA Today,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
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As he was driven away, Matthews raised a thumbs-up to the crowd, drawing an ovation from USC fans and a huddle of his Spartans teammates, who circled together in support before returning to the sideline.—
Ira Gorawara,
New York Times,
21 Sep. 2025
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Rock for First Responders benefit concert; another year of showing their support for the event, which raises money for essential equipment and mental health programs for Santa Barbara’s first responders.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
21 Sep. 2025
Verb
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At the same time, playful responsiveness stimulates the vagus nerve, a key part of the parasympathetic nervous system linked to relaxation and safety.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
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Salmon Salmon is rich in omega-3 and vitamin D, and helps to stimulate collagen production within the skin.—
Alessandra Signorelli,
Vogue,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Rising pressure on Nvidia Huawei’s announcement comes as China promotes homegrown alternatives to Nvidia.—
Evelyn Cheng,
CNBC,
18 Sep. 2025
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The turn of the century saw the advent of rhizobial soil inoculants for improving legume growth, with the FDA promoting such applications.—
Anna Marija Helt,
JSTOR Daily,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Among them were Julia Roberts and Sean Penn, who served as hosts for a special reception and screening of director Marianna Brennand’s stirring narrative feature Manas.—
Stacey Wilson Hunt,
HollywoodReporter,
14 Sep. 2025
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That rich color, the soft texture of the suède, stirred in me all the promise of autumn, of a new school year, of a chance to have instead of to want—in other words, to finally be.—
Rachel Kushner,
New Yorker,
14 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In the last fortnight alone, Starmer's Deputy Prime Minister and close ally Angela Rayner has resigned after a house tax scandal, triggering a major cabinet reshuffle.—
Holly Ellyatt,
CNBC,
17 Sep. 2025
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However, there have been some social media posts and videos celebrating his killing, while others have criticized Kirk and his beliefs, which has in turn triggered a backlash.—
Marni Rose McFall,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Court records also cite graphic messages in which Zinn admitted to being aroused by the material.—
Jesus Mesa
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Sep. 2025
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Instead, her screams and attempts to pull away only aroused the animal, increasing its strength.—
Tony Saavedra,
Oc Register,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Republicans on Capitol Hill also backed Bondi’s qualified statement that speech inciting violence should be prosecuted.—
Naomi Lim,
The Washington Examiner,
17 Sep. 2025
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Israeli leaders ‘incited genocide’ The report accused Netanyahu, President Isaac Herzog and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant of inciting genocide.—
Catherine Nicholls,
CNN Money,
16 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Provoke.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/provoke. Accessed 22 Sep. 2025.
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