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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples Sentences
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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
Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 8 Dec. 2024
Under the more moderate leadership of President Hassan Rouhani, Iran slowed its space program, fearful of provoking the West.
—Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 6 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
The most emotion-provoking parts of this episode for me are the Travis segments, and the main emotion those scenes provoke is irritation.
—Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 8 Dec. 2024
Under the more moderate leadership of President Hassan Rouhani, Iran slowed its space program, fearful of provoking the West.
—Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 6 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for provoking
Recent Examples of Synonyms for provoking
Adjective
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Singing over gruff hip-hop beats and ethereal minimalist ballads, the Argentine singer weaves a provocative tale of self-discovery with diaristic lyrics that excavate self-acceptance, intense romance and emotional maturity.Pamela Avila, USA TODAY, 19 Dec. 2024
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While the nomadic clan has picked up and moved at their leisure in the past, this provocative drama unfolds at a time when there’s no running from the future or from one another.Stephen Saito, Variety, 18 Dec. 2024
Verb
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That results in Canada trying to cut interest rates to stimulate the economy while America has not needed to, encouraging investment in American bonds.Daniel Markind, Forbes, 24 Dec. 2024
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That same week before Christmas, politically inclined businessman Willie Wilson was at Cook County Jail with a bunch of pastors, encouraging the incarcerated to find a new path, make better choices and never return once they are released.The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 24 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Sinema spent around $8,000 on travel expenses in the Boston area in the days surrounding the marathon this spring, but has reported raising just one dollar since March, according to CREW’s complaint.Laura Gersony, The Arizona Republic, 24 Dec. 2024
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The year also began with a strong El Niño event, which occurs when the ocean in the Eastern Pacific releases large amounts of heat to the atmosphere, raising global temperatures.Lauren Sommer, NPR, 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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These blood tests might include a complete blood count; a metabolic panel; and tests for fasting blood glucose, thyroid stimulating hormone, and vitamin B12 levels.Ruth Jessen Hickman, MD, Health, 23 Dec. 2024
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One side of the cloth is made with textured microfiber, which massages the skin while stimulating blood flow.Jenny Berg, Allure, 23 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Sauté onions, garlic, and more fresh sage, add a bit of flour to create the base of the roux, then whisk in chicken broth and cream before stirring in the spinach ravioli and topping with the grated cheese.Karla Walsh, Southern Living, 23 Dec. 2024
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Carissa may not travel terribly far in the course of the film, but her awareness of her existing world expands considerably, which makes for a more delicately stirring arc than expected in a coming-of-age tale of this variety.Guy Lodge, Variety, 23 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Many commentators contrasted Lively’s light touch when promoting the film to Baldoni’s serious approach, who spent much of the press tour uplifting the voices of domestic violence survivors.Dani Di Placido, Forbes, 24 Dec. 2024
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Suited for mature skin of any type, the cream boosts the radiance of dull skin while minimizing the appearance of pores and promoting a softer, smoother texture.Kiana Murden, Vogue, 24 Dec. 2024
Verb
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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
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That murder is of her best friend, Safi, akin to how the inciting murder in the first game was Chloe.Ryan Easby, Rolling Stone, 22 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near provoking
Cite this Entry
“Provoking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/provoking. Accessed 28 Dec. 2024.
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