provokes

verb

present tense third-person singular of provoke
1
as in encourages
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 raises
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 provokes The second provokes disappointment, but both provide closure. — Alejandro Cárdenas Villa, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026 In my own research, threatening a man’s sense of manhood – but not a woman’s womanhood – reliably provokes aggression, and the men who react most strongly are those who feel the most pressure to live up to masculine ideals. — Adam Stanaland, The Conversation, 20 July 2026 However, his light-hearted approach provokes the hostility of the church. — Leo Barraclough, Variety, 17 July 2026 Indeed, of all the mid-century American novels to stand the test of time, perhaps only On the Road provokes a comparably polarizing response among contemporary readers. — Book Marks, Literary Hub, 16 July 2026 Another friend recounted the ins-and-outs of her 11-year-old’s baseball league, which provokes more political intrigue than a Hilary Mantel novel. — Mary Pauline Lowry, PEOPLE, 5 July 2026 His jealousy provokes an act of betrayal and cruelty. — Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 18 June 2026 Such a statistic often provokes a familiar gamut of responses from those who read it, from shock, disgust and anger to a debilitating sense of helplessness. — Megan Feringa, New York Times, 3 June 2026 Likewise, JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon recently warned that the bond market will ultimately prove to be the factor that provokes some action from DC when investors begin to demand higher premiums to continue buying debt. — Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 20 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for provokes
  1. encourages
  2. raises
  3. stimulates
  4. promotes
  5. stirs
  6. triggers
  7. inspires
  8. incites
Verb
  • More of them are asking for telehealth visits, an option the clinic offers and encourages to abate patients’ fears that visiting the doctor could lead to a run-in with ICE, according to Motorwala.
    — Michelle Marchante July 29, Miami Herald, 29 July 2026
  • The company’s campaign directs people experiencing involuntary movements to their dedicated website and encourages them to consult healthcare providers.
    — Joshua Hong, Fortune, 29 July 2026
Definition of encourages
Verb
  • That raises concerns about how organizations secure environments used for model development, testing, and evaluation.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 21 July 2026
  • But that usually happens before a company gains substantial traction and raises a significant amount of money.
    — Rashi Shrivastava, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
Definition of raises
Verb
  • The percussive vibration unclogs impurities and excess sebum while the accompanying massage motion stimulates blood microcirculation and supports lymphatic drainage—exactly the mechanisms Cirino prioritizes in his professional treatments.
    — Tanya Akim, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
  • This could be because glycolic acid stimulates collagen production and cell turnover and proliferation (the production of new skin cells).
    — Laura Dorwart, Health, 22 July 2026
Definition of stimulates
Verb
  • Prior to ​the ⁠verdict, the Committee to Protect Journalists, an independent non-profit organization that promotes press ⁠freedom ​worldwide, said 29 journalists ​were imprisoned in Russia in connection with their work.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 29 July 2026
  • Between such posts, Wall Street Mav promotes Kalshi betting odds.
    — Dan Bernstein, Sportico.com, 28 July 2026
Definition of promotes
Verb
  • While dealing with an impending counterattack from Oda, Murashige finds that trouble stirs in his own courts as mysterious deaths, from a child prisoner to other officials, end up mysteriously murdered.
    — Zachary Lee, IndieWire, 27 July 2026
  • Innovative Uranus stirs your 3rd House of Communication, trining transformative Pluto in your 11th House of Friends and Community.
    — Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 18 July 2026
Definition of stirs
Verb
  • Inhaling these particles triggers inflammation, increasing risks of cardiovascular complications and stroke, particularly for vulnerable populations like children, older adults, and those with chronic conditions.
    — Jamie Gold, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
  • Many couples pick a dollar amount that triggers a conversation before either partner spends it, whether that is $100 or $500.
    — Ashley Lynch, Sacbee.com, 21 July 2026
Definition of triggers
Verb
  • One of the places that inspires her most is her family’s home in Sagaponack, designed by Elsa Soyars.
    — Amanda Lauren, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
  • Jimothy inspires artists around the country Jimothy has been an inspiration to many, evidenced by all the artists who have paid homage to him in their medium of choice.
    — Drew Pittock, USA Today, 25 July 2026
Definition of inspires
Verb
  • Every day, there’s seemingly some new report or rumor that incites the social media machine.
    — Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 22 July 2026
  • The rule will also apply to any team official who incites players to leave the field of play in protest.
    — Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 3 June 2026
Definition of incites

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Cite this Entry

“Provokes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/provokes. Accessed 4 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of provokes for Spanish Speakers

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