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
Relevance
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
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Recent Examples of provokes
But the question of what is true or not is futile, even if Calle deliberately provokes this curiosity.
—
Elisa Wouk Almino
editor, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2026
The flurry of imagery provokes a surreal sort of whiplash.
—Kyle Chayka, New Yorker, 2 Apr. 2026
The visual effect provokes strikes, but the vibrations also stimulate the receptors in a bass's lateral line.
—Bryan Hendricks, Arkansas Online, 29 Mar. 2026
At work, Paige (Elle Chapman) punches a coworker who provokes her with truly unkind remarks about her father's death.
—Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 21 Mar. 2026
The aroma of coffee brewing reliably provokes desire.
—Literary Hub, 13 Feb. 2026
Deadline can reveal the first trailer for the radical love story revolving around Suzanne and undocumented migrant Osmane, whose relationship provokes a wave of anger and indignation all around them, forcing them to resist.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 10 Feb. 2026
Fogel is always looking for the visual angle that provokes an emotional response.
—Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 22 Jan. 2026
This ends up being just one of Aemond’s defining moments, which further provokes war.
—Skyler Trepel, PEOPLE, 19 Jan. 2026
Elisa Wouk Almino
editor, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2026
The flurry of imagery provokes a surreal sort of whiplash.
—Kyle Chayka, New Yorker, 2 Apr. 2026
The visual effect provokes strikes, but the vibrations also stimulate the receptors in a bass's lateral line.
—Bryan Hendricks, Arkansas Online, 29 Mar. 2026
At work, Paige (Elle Chapman) punches a coworker who provokes her with truly unkind remarks about her father's death.
—Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 21 Mar. 2026
The aroma of coffee brewing reliably provokes desire.
—Literary Hub, 13 Feb. 2026
Deadline can reveal the first trailer for the radical love story revolving around Suzanne and undocumented migrant Osmane, whose relationship provokes a wave of anger and indignation all around them, forcing them to resist.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 10 Feb. 2026
Fogel is always looking for the visual angle that provokes an emotional response.
—Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 22 Jan. 2026
This ends up being just one of Aemond’s defining moments, which further provokes war.
—Skyler Trepel, PEOPLE, 19 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for provokes
Verb
-
The Sustainable Ihram Initiative also complements other efforts by the fashion commission, such as the Swap Shop program, which encourages consumers to exchange unwanted clothes rather than discarding them.—
FMG Studios,
Footwear News,
1 May 2026
-
Mouth tape encourages nasal breathing and may reduce snoring.—
Samantha Agate,
Miami Herald,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
The comments around cyber risks come as emergence of Anthropic's Mythos is setting up a scramble from the banking industry to gain access and test the technology, as regulators rush to examine the cybersecurity risks the new AI model raises.—
USA Today,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Critics say that practice raises prices for buyers and hurts the state’s homeownership rate.—
Stephen Hobbs,
Sacbee.com,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Pruning stimulates new growth, and those new leaves are leaf miners’ favorite, so the problem will only get worse.—
Nan Sterman,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
2 May 2026
-
Pedunculagin stimulates the release of enzymes that trigger NO synthesis, thereby reducing blood pressure as NO levels increase.—
MD Published,
Verywell Health,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Its expert team enforces strict production rules, promotes the brand globally, fights counterfeits and certifies every wheel.—
Antonia Mortensen,
CNN Money,
2 May 2026
-
The company also promotes global tours for artists such as Justin Bieber, Zach Bryan, Sabrina Carpenter, Kenny Chesney, Luke Combs, Celine Dion, Elton John, Carin León, Paul McCartney, The Rolling Stones, Ed Sheeran, Taylor Swift, and Tyler, The Creator.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
At the same time, your home and personal life are evolving, as Uranus in Gemini stirs things up between your personal and professional life.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
1 May 2026
-
As the rise of artificial intelligence stirs anxiety over the technology taking people's jobs, AI is also opening pathways to new careers, according to LinkedIn.—
Mary Cunningham,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Your mind is racing, and you’re tempted to say something impulsive, especially in a text, DM or conversation that triggers you.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
4 May 2026
-
Early withdrawal typically triggers a penalty that can wipe out a meaningful chunk of the interest earned.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
But what inspires me is the idea of putting something beautiful into the world.—
James Manso,
Footwear News,
28 Apr. 2026
-
So my hope is that at least a single candidate ups their game and comes to voters with not just attacks, but something that inspires, something that sets them apart.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Critics say the former demands the elimination of the Israeli state – from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea – and incites violence against Jewish people.—
CNN.com Wire Service,
Mercury News,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Uranus moving into Gemini incites restlessness with conventional routine.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
25 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Provokes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/provokes. Accessed 5 May. 2026.
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