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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of provoke
The writer’s entourage was constantly drunk and rowdy, often stumbling back into the hotel at 3 a.m. and provoking complaints from other guests.
—
Tony Perrottet, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 June 2025
The lavish display of money and excess has provoked backlash from local residents and environmental demonstrators who protest the use of the Unesco world heritage site as a playground for the super-rich.
—Karen Gilchrist, CNBC, 27 June 2025
The exhibit, designed for temporary installation in church sanctuaries, aimed to provoke discussion and encourage open dialogue about the past.
—Thomas A. Dubois, The Conversation, 27 June 2025
Blinder, the former Fed vice chair, said the risk is that a shadow Fed chair provokes their future colleagues by speaking out before taking power.
—Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 27 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for provoke
Tony Perrottet, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 June 2025
The lavish display of money and excess has provoked backlash from local residents and environmental demonstrators who protest the use of the Unesco world heritage site as a playground for the super-rich.
—Karen Gilchrist, CNBC, 27 June 2025
The exhibit, designed for temporary installation in church sanctuaries, aimed to provoke discussion and encourage open dialogue about the past.
—Thomas A. Dubois, The Conversation, 27 June 2025
Blinder, the former Fed vice chair, said the risk is that a shadow Fed chair provokes their future colleagues by speaking out before taking power.
—Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 27 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for provoke
Recent Examples of Synonyms for provoke
Verb
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The Schweickart Prize is an annual award designed to foster a new generation of leaders in planetary defense and to encourage ideas to help protect Earth from potential asteroid impacts.—
Leonard David,
Space.com,
12 July 2025
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South Bend offers a good example of how to encourage developers to address these needs, Ibrahim said.—
Doug Ross,
Chicago Tribune,
12 July 2025
Verb
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This includes: People with diabetes should be aware that prune juice can raise blood sugar levels.—
Ariana Yaptangco,
Glamour,
15 July 2025
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In addition to the money raised, the event boosted awareness of global poverty and hunger.—
Danielle Chemtob,
Forbes.com,
15 July 2025
Verb
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Doing so could stimulate economic growth, and would be warmly welcomed by the White House and investors.—
Hugh Cameron,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 July 2025
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Examples include flashing notifications that make your phone jump and squeak, colorful rewards when others like your posts, and algorithms that push out the most emotional content to stimulate your most base emotions of anger, shame or glee.—
Lisa Schirch,
The Conversation,
7 July 2025
Verb
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Benson Boone has spent 2025 promoting his new album American Heart, which debuted on the Billboard charts just a few weeks ago.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes.com,
12 July 2025
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Investigators found no evidence of a client list or blackmail scheme involving prominent individuals, contradicting years of speculation and conspiracy theories that both Patel and Bongino had previously promoted.—
Adeola Adeosun
Hollie Silverman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 July 2025
Verb
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Just the idea of a super-fight between generations has already stirred the pot.—
Brian Mazique,
Forbes.com,
12 July 2025
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Roast, stirring twice, until corn is browned, about 20 minutes.—
Katlyn Moncada,
Better Homes & Gardens,
11 July 2025
Verb
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The first red flag of the session was triggered after Oliver Bearman lost some of the bodywork of his Haas.—
Saajan Jogia,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 July 2025
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That, in turn, will trigger a future automatic benefit cut of 24% to all recipients, the centrist think tank projects.—
Ben Adler,
USA Today,
5 July 2025
Verb
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Like the rakish characters in La Piscine, those in Last Summer are caught in a folie à plusieurs, where the idyllic, island setting seems to arouse their worst impulses.—
Erik Morse,
Vogue,
26 June 2025
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Cassie admitted ecstasy made her feel euphoric and aroused, while ketamine would make her dissociative.—
Tracy Wright , Lauryn Overhultz,
FOXNews.com,
20 June 2025
Verb
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Musk made sweeping changes after taking over the site, firing huge numbers of personnel and reversing account bans for users who had been booted from the platform after posting hate speech or inciting violence.—
Lora Kolodny,
CNBC,
10 July 2025
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In the end, Thomas becomes popular at school, but is convicted on several criminal charges, including contributing to the delinquency of minors and inciting a riot.—
Beth Sobol,
People.com,
8 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Provoke.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/provoke. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
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