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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of provokes
Every action provokes a reaction.
—
Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
After a sleepy start to the second half at Old Trafford, the arrival of Benjamin Sesko, and the relocation of Cunha into a deeper position, provokes a fresh wave of interest.
—Jack Lang, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2025
Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
After a sleepy start to the second half at Old Trafford, the arrival of Benjamin Sesko, and the relocation of Cunha into a deeper position, provokes a fresh wave of interest.
—Jack Lang, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for provokes
Verb
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This song encourages them to get messy, play, and have fun with this staple activity of the Halloween season.—
Elisabeth Sherman,
Parents,
19 Sep. 2025
-
The backdrop this year is a festive workshop and the set encourages building and creative play.—
Alexander Cox,
Space.com,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The pocket veto also raises problems relating to the separation of powers.—
Kevin R. Kosar,
The Washington Examiner,
19 Sep. 2025
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But there's also some potentially world-changing implications that raises the stakes of this adventure.—
DeVonne Goode,
Parents,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Mechanistically, exercise improves vascular function, metabolic health, and stimulates the release of endogenous anti-inflammatory mediators.—
William A. Haseltine,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
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The chemical targets a different system in the brain than standard antidepressants, triggering the release of glutamate, which stimulates the growth of new synapses between brain cells.—
Rachel Hale,
USA Today,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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At the same time, concerns about declining populations are fueling the pronatalist movement, which promotes higher birthrates and frames demographic decline as a threat to civilization itself.—
G Kirilloff,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
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Chronic inflammation also promotes insulin resistance and cellular dysfunction that can lead to type 2 diabetes and fatty liver disease, a growing concern.—
Sandee LaMotte,
CNN Money,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
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For decades, scientists have considered the moon a dead world—a silent, unchanging landscape where nothing stirs.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
14 Sep. 2025
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Cardinal safety Budda Baker is still wreaking havoc and remains the proverbial straw that stirs the drink.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
When danger nears, the first few birds flap their wings, sending a cascading signal that triggers a collective launch.—
Cecilia Rodriguez,
Forbes.com,
18 Sep. 2025
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An off-normal reading—say, lubricant temperature creeping up—triggers a work order automatically.—
Srishti Gupta,
Interesting Engineering,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
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SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe.—
Jack Tamisiea,
Scientific American,
17 Sep. 2025
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With guidance and resources from the American Heart Association, each nominee builds a personalized campaign, recruits an Impact Team and inspires others to join the mission.—
Forbes.com,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The platform bans content that glorifies violence, incites harm or celebrates attacks.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
13 Sep. 2025
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The Hills and Gribbles go to the Bush presidential library where Dale incites an incident.—
Billie Melissa,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Provokes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/provokes. Accessed 20 Sep. 2025.
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