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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Noel King We were reminded in the first half of our show that Donald Trump has actually been talking about Greenland in provocative ways since 2019.—
Avishay Artsy,
Vox,
25 Jan. 2025
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Sign up for the Race/Related Newsletter Join a deep and provocative exploration of race, identity and society with New York Times journalists.—
Erica L. Green,
New York Times,
25 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Unfortunately, current leadership isn’t fostering a new narrative or encouraging positive change.—
Jennifer Guzman,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Jan. 2025
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While not every decision will yield perfect results, encouraging your employees to be data-conscious and skilled at forecasting will lower your risk and position you to make impactful decisions before the full effects of economic shifts are felt.—
Steve Swinney,
Forbes,
3 Jan. 2025
Verb
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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
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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
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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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
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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
Verb
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Also, an activation event promoting Meta Quest with an appearance by Jane Fonda promoting her new VR fitness series in West Hollywood has been canceled.—
Katcy Stephan,
Variety,
8 Jan. 2025
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Teachers attempted to respond to tensions in the school by promoting a two-week study on the history of the conflict.—
Beth Bailey,
Fox News,
8 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Someone else may be inciting your next big move.—
USA TODAY,
USA TODAY,
26 Dec. 2024
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Tehran’s growing sense of insecurity following Assad’s fall may drive the country’s leadership to escalate activities that destabilize the region, such as efforts to further strengthen allied militias in Iraq and Yemen or inciting sectarian tensions in Syria.—
Hamidreza Azizi,
Foreign Affairs,
23 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near provoking
Cite this Entry
“Provoking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/provoking. Accessed 9 Feb. 2025.
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