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

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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

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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
The ways the siblings cope with their versions of reality are quite different, quite haunting and quite thought-provoking. — Bethanne Patrick, Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2026 Ambitious, thought-provoking, thrilling and passionate. — Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 6 May 2026
Verb
Tom Cruise‘s Digger is being called a very big swing of a dramatic satire that’s provoking very mixed reactions after the film’s first press screenings. — James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 23 Sep. 2026 This full-day experience welcomes middle and high school students from throughout the region to engage in thought-provoking screenings, interactive Q&A sessions, and hands-on workshops. — Matthew Carey, Deadline, 17 Sep. 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
  • The spot urges a woman to vote for Hilton, who says its provocative humor is meant to reach Californians open to change despite his party affiliation.
    — Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2026
  • The panel wrapped with a provocative audience question from an NBCUniversal exec who asked the panel what the best path forward for her company would be.
    — Dade Hayes, Deadline, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of provocative
Verb
  • Her mom was one of her earliest patrons, encouraging Lanell to paint for at least one hour per day throughout her childhood.
    — Jewel Wicker, AJC.com, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Jag Nagendra is challenging stereotypes by encouraging greater participation and visibility in the community.
    — The Sacramento Bee staff, Sacbee.com, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of encouraging
Verb
  • In bidding to halt Howard's execution, his attorneys had filed a motion hours earlier before the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals raising concerns about the quality of Texas' execution drugs.
    — JAMIE STENGLE, Arkansas Online, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Governments are borrowing heavily to finance fiscal deficits, while companies are raising funds to invest in emerging technologies, creating an imbalance that could keep upward pressure on interest rates.
    — Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 8 Oct. 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
  • The team also gave the muscle a workout, stimulating it with light for 15 minutes a day at two pulses per second.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Head spas are credited with cleansing the scalp, stimulating blood flow, strengthening hair follicles and lowering stress and anxiety.
    — Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of stimulating
Verb
  • And using a large portion of cash savings or pulling money from a retirement account to eliminate that mortgage could create other problems, including reducing liquidity or potentially triggering a sizable tax bill.
    — Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Extra chaos Then Alex Albon’s Williams suffered a gearbox failure on lap 43, triggering a virtual safety car.
    — Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of triggering
Verb
  • Add the tomato paste and cook for about 8 minutes, stirring frequently.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Mercury in your private 12th House squares Mars in your 9th, stirring big questions about beliefs, travel, learning, or where you are headed next.
    — Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of stirring
Verb
  • The property has 21 private cottages, each simple, calming, and tech-free, promoting deep rest and focus.
    — CNT Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Broadcasters also lost interest in promoting the show as its ratings and their Emmy hauls declined amid the rise of HBO, cable channels AMC and FX, and streamers, including Netflix.
    — Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of promoting

Browse Nearby Words

provokes
provoking
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Cite this Entry

“Provoking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/provoking. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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