1
as in to encourage
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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to raise
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 provoke
The team’s offseason this year amplified that criticism into outright fury, provoking allegations that the Dodgers manipulated MLB’s salary system to build a superteam.
—
Russell Leung, CNBC, 1 Mar. 2025
Seeing it three or more times—as is the case for booze bottles, monkeys and gorillas, elephants, and many other subjects and objects in Pollock's paintings—makes those images very unlikely to be randomly provoked perceptions without any basis in reality.
—Ars Technica, 28 Feb. 2025
The earworm record provokes a sense of longing, one that is uplifting, cathartic and beautiful.
—Lisa Kocay, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025
Even the revelation that settlement talks have been held has provoked news staffers.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 26 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for provoke
Russell Leung, CNBC, 1 Mar. 2025
Seeing it three or more times—as is the case for booze bottles, monkeys and gorillas, elephants, and many other subjects and objects in Pollock's paintings—makes those images very unlikely to be randomly provoked perceptions without any basis in reality.
—Ars Technica, 28 Feb. 2025
The earworm record provokes a sense of longing, one that is uplifting, cathartic and beautiful.
—Lisa Kocay, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025
Even the revelation that settlement talks have been held has provoked news staffers.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 26 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for provoke
Recent Examples of Synonyms for provoke
Verb
-
Officials encourage Carolinians to stay informed through official emergency sources and call 911 to report any immediate threats.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
2 Mar. 2025
-
Nope, although Google does encourage all users to switch from passwords and traditional 2FA to the use of passkeys, of course.—
Davey Winder,
Forbes,
2 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Von der Leyen has proposed that the EU's executive branch, the European Commission, raise up to $161 billion on financial markets that would be loaned to member countries buy new military equipment for themselves, or to send to Ukraine.—
arkansasonline.com,
arkansasonline.com,
6 Mar. 2025
-
The media shake-up celebrated by Trump has raised concerns among some in the industry who fear that access to reporting the truth will become increasingly difficult as credentials are revoked and outlets too favorable of the president may not provide full coverage.—
Russel Honoré,
Newsweek,
6 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
The jokey, gleefully profane lyrics are stimulating in the moment but then quickly forgotten, like novelty songs in a clever college cabaret.—
Charles McNulty,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Mar. 2025
-
Such a device could perhaps stimulate different parts of the tongue to, say, determine if the brain was processing sensory signals properly.—
Gayoung Lee,
Scientific American,
28 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Politicians historically have used their State of the Union plus-ones to promote or protest federal policies.—
Jessica Boehm,
Axios,
1 Mar. 2025
-
Fraudsters also promote the overstated withholding scheme, encouraging taxpayers to inflate income and withholding on forms like W-2s and 1099s for larger refunds.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
1 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Bring vinegar, water, sugar, salt, and mustard seeds to a boil in a small saucepan over high, stirring often.—
Alana Al-Hatlani,
Southern Living,
2 Mar. 2025
-
Drown them with an ample amount of water and stir to confirm that everything is cold to the touch.—
KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT,
Kansas City Star,
1 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
The campaign was triggered by Hamas’ Oct. 23, 2023 attack on southern Israel, in which fighters killed some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and took a total of 251 people hostage.—
Julia Frankel,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Mar. 2025
-
Smartphone manufacturers will be allowed to design the widget experience for their lock screens; decide when a lock screen is triggered and preset their preferred widgets, for example.—
Jibin Joseph,
PCMAG,
7 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Defending rights and progress aroused attendees at that January meeting in 2025 as strongly as denouncing forced colonization aroused attendees at the mass meeting 208 years earlier.—
Linn Washington,
The Conversation,
26 Feb. 2025
-
Love Is Blind leaves the answer on a cliffhanger, but internet sleuths have been quick to locate the picture that aroused Taylor’s suspicions in the first place.—
Lissete Lanuza Sáenz,
StyleCaster,
20 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Even minor sparks or drifting embers can incite nearby foliage or grass, setting off a rapidly spreading fire.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
1 Mar. 2025
-
Real Madrid incites controversy, writes false articles, and questions everything.—
Sam Leveridge,
Forbes,
28 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Provoke.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/provoke. Accessed 15 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share