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
Relevance
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
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 provoking
Laure Guilbault, Vogue, 30 Jan. 2026
But the arithmetic exercise is thought-provoking, nonetheless.
—John Cassidy, New Yorker, 12 Jan. 2026
Yu Jie, Time, 13 May 2026
Her concerts are multimedia feasts that combine these multifarious aspects, thought-provoking performances complete with sections of song, spoken word, and visual effects.
—David Harris, SPIN, 11 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for provoking
Adjective
Collections and designers put their best foot forward, delivering high-caliber collections — some were uplifting, others were thought-provoking, most were both.
—Laure Guilbault, Vogue, 30 Jan. 2026
But the arithmetic exercise is thought-provoking, nonetheless.
—John Cassidy, New Yorker, 12 Jan. 2026
Verb
What Beijing seeks, therefore, is not the abrupt unravelling of American power, but the space to expand its own capabilities without provoking overwhelming resistance.
—Yu Jie, Time, 13 May 2026
Her concerts are multimedia feasts that combine these multifarious aspects, thought-provoking performances complete with sections of song, spoken word, and visual effects.
—David Harris, SPIN, 11 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for provoking
Recent Examples of Synonyms for provoking
Adjective
-
So, could this be the goal of this provocative collaboration?—
Clara Ludmir,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
-
Both men were hospitalized after the shooting; community members describe Eatherly as someone whose provocative actions have intensified tensions and dangerous confrontations.—
Kristin M. Hall,
Los Angeles Times,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
There were also fans of nearby college teams cheering on their guys, plus some participants’ encouraging families.—
Dan Greene,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
-
There had been encouraging noises on a pursuit for the Brazilian, but the longer the summer went on, the colder the trail grew.—
Beren Cross,
New York Times,
17 May 2026
Verb
-
The governing body said the show would support the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, which is raising $100 million to help children access education and soccer.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
14 May 2026
-
Israel’s national security minister inflamed the situation with a provocative visit to the contested Al Aqsa Mosque compound, raising concerns about Jerusalem’s status in the broader Israeli-Palestinian conflict.—
Julia Frankel,
Los Angeles Times,
14 May 2026
Adjective
-
At a charged political moment, her relatively sober look seemed intended to keep the focus on POTUS.—
Vogue,
Vogue,
12 Dec. 2025
-
What Happens Next Greene is likely to continue stoking controversy by breaking with her party, as conversations around immigration remain charged and divisive.—
Alia Shoaib,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
This could be the postprandial transmission of the gut hormone glucagon-like peptide-1, or GLP-1, which signals fullness to the brain, or oestrogen from the ovaries, which is sent to pubertal breast tissue, stimulating it to grow.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 May 2026
-
For CEOs, CHROs, and transformation leads wrestling with AI disruption, hybrid work, and unrelenting competition, The Octopus Organization is stimulating reading.—
Steve Denning,
Forbes.com,
17 May 2026
Verb
-
However, in April 2025, the government broke the news that a license would be required for exports of Nvidia's H20 products in the China market, triggering an automatic adjustment to the goals.—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
13 May 2026
-
Now the Iran war has heaped fresh pressure on those businesses, choking critical shipping lanes, triggering a historic energy shock, and threatening to crimp global demand for Chinese goods across the board.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
Return to a boil, gently stirring the gnocchi to prevent sticking.—
Kate Williams,
AJC.com,
18 May 2026
-
Set aside at room temperature, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until sugar dissolves and mixture is syrupy, about 30 minutes.—
Erin Merhar,
Southern Living,
18 May 2026
Verb
-
Screen Brasil reaffirms Embratur’s role in promoting the country internationally and expanding the international reach of Brazilian productions.—
Rafa Sales Ross,
Variety,
18 May 2026
-
On Sunday, the league posted a social media graphic promoting its doubleheader on NBC/Peacock.—
Bobby Burack OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
18 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Provoking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/provoking. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
