provoked; provoking
1
2
a
: to incite to anger
b
archaic
: to arouse to a feeling or action
provoker
noun
Examples of provoke in a Sentence
His remarks provoked both tears and laughter.
He just says those things because he's trying to provoke you.
The animal will not attack unless it is provoked.
Recent Examples on the Web
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters at the White House that the administration maintained confidence in Waltz and said the case was effectively closed, even as the breach provoked bipartisan criticism and opened up divisions inside the White House.
—
Josh Meyer, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2025
As an abstraction and comparison machine, Pronouns provokes anxiety, getting at the dangers of correlation.
—Mara Mills, Artforum, 1 Apr. 2025
The labyrinthine saga dating from 1977, when the original Grove Isle covenant was signed, provokes intense head-scratching.
—Linda Robertson, Miami Herald, 1 Apr. 2025
There have been plenty of headlines generated by the recent Medusa ransomware attacks that have run riot, provoking the Federal Bureau of Investigation into issuing a critical security advisory, and adding to the massive surge in ransomware during the first quarter of 2025.
—Davey Winder, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for provoke
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Josh Meyer, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2025
As an abstraction and comparison machine, Pronouns provokes anxiety, getting at the dangers of correlation.
—Mara Mills, Artforum, 1 Apr. 2025
The labyrinthine saga dating from 1977, when the original Grove Isle covenant was signed, provokes intense head-scratching.
—Linda Robertson, Miami Herald, 1 Apr. 2025
There have been plenty of headlines generated by the recent Medusa ransomware attacks that have run riot, provoking the Federal Bureau of Investigation into issuing a critical security advisory, and adding to the massive surge in ransomware during the first quarter of 2025.
—Davey Winder, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for provoke
Cite this Entry
“Provoke.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/provoke. Accessed 6 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
provoke
verb
pro·voke
prə-ˈvōk 
provoked; provoking
1
: to excite to anger
2
: to stir up : bring about
provoke an argument
Medical Definition
provoke
transitive verb
pro·voke
prə-ˈvōk
provoked; provoking
: to induce (a physical reaction)
ipecac provokes vomiting
Legal Definition
provoke
transitive verb
pro·voke
prə-ˈvōk
provoked; provoking
1
: to incite to anger
2
: to provide the needed stimulus for
provoker
noun
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