provoking 1 of 2

adjective

prə-ˈvō-kiŋ How to pronounce provoking (audio)
Definition of provokingnext
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

provoking

2 of 2

verb

present participle of provoke
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

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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
Adjective
Ambitious, thought-provoking, thrilling and passionate. — Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 6 May 2026 Then on May 1, amid the full moon in Scorpio, Venus will harmonize with Saturn in Aries, presenting the opportunity for something fun and thought-provoking to become real. — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 23 Apr. 2026
Verb
Cohen’s brand of comedy revolves around him embodying outlandish characters and then provoking a reaction from onlookers. — Jack Dunn, Variety, 25 Aug. 2026 Corben has previously clashed with Gabela and Gabela’s wife, Mariela, who have accused Corben of provoking them to get views for his content. — Miami Herald, 20 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for provoking
Recent Examples of Synonyms for provoking
  1. provocative
  2. encouraging
  3. raising
  4. charged
  5. stimulating
  6. triggering
  7. stirring
  8. promoting
Adjective
  • In the meantime, MapQuest has been active on X, posting provocative tweets to capitalize on the controversy.
    — Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 31 Aug. 2026
  • The film revisits one of the most provocative and scrutinized franchises in the history of TV news.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of provocative
Verb
  • When the east Texas oilfield was discovered in the interwar years, gasoline prices fell sharply, incentivizing bigger engines and vehicles, while encouraging longer journeys.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 4 Sep. 2026
  • By taking stem cells from a host’s own body and encouraging them to differentiate before mixing them with a commercially available, soluble matrix gel, researchers may have cracked the most critical problems in the transplant process.
    — Mike McRae September 02, New Atlas, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of encouraging
Verb
  • Yosemite records few rabid bats, with the last case in 2025, but other national parks have issued rabies alerts within days or weeks, raising fresh questions about Yosemite’s public-health communication.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026
  • OpenAI’s latest model, Astra, does more thinking beyond human oversight, boosting capabilities but raising concerns about loss of control.
    — Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of raising
Adjective
  • The result is an urgent, propulsive song with a raw spirit and some of Pop’s most super-charged writing with deceptively simple lyrics about love and war, dripping with desperation.
    — Debby Wolfinsohn, Entertainment Weekly, 7 July 2026
  • 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
Definition of charged
Verb
  • Protein may also support weight loss by slowing digestion and stimulating the release of hormones that promote feelings of fullness and satiety.
    — Jillian Kubala, HEALTH, 1 Sep. 2026
  • While stimulating a fresh sense of observation, Selwyn also wanted to counter some myths about museums.
    — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of stimulating
Verb
  • Parton died after a brief battle with cancer, with her death triggering an outpouring of grief, from fellow Hollywood stars to everyday fans who attended makeshift memorials.
    — Edward Segarra, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026
  • But Antonelli is set to start Sunday’s race from the back of the grid as Mercedes plans to fit his car with a fresh engine, triggering a penalty.
    — Luke Smith, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of triggering
Verb
  • Simmer the pasta in the sauce, gently stirring and tossing occasionally, until the pasta is al dente.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Add tomato paste; cook, stirring often, until darkened in color, 2 to 4 minutes.
    — Erin Merhar, Southern Living, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of stirring
Verb
  • Mudryk worked under De Zerbi at Shakhtar Donetsk, with the Italian promoting the winger from their reserve side after loan spells at Arsenal Kyiv and Desna Chernihiv.
    — Elias Burke, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Evidence is needed to build a case for or against the role of firelight in promoting rich, spoken language in our species.
    — Mike McRae September 02, New Atlas, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of promoting

Browse Nearby Words

provokes
provoking
prowess
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Cite this Entry

“Provoking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/provoking. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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