1
as in encourages
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 raises
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
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Recent Examples of provokes
Through her restraint, Roberts provokes in us some semblance of empathy for her character – in a movie where everyone else is basically monstrous.
—
Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 10 Oct. 2025
Every action provokes a reaction.
—Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
After a sleepy start to the second half at Old Trafford, the arrival of Benjamin Sesko, and the relocation of Cunha into a deeper position, provokes a fresh wave of interest.
—Jack Lang, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2025
Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 10 Oct. 2025
Every action provokes a reaction.
—Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
After a sleepy start to the second half at Old Trafford, the arrival of Benjamin Sesko, and the relocation of Cunha into a deeper position, provokes a fresh wave of interest.
—Jack Lang, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for provokes
Verb
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For holidays that are primarily observed in the United States, Tillery encourages travelers to look beyond domestic trips.—
Essence,
Essence,
24 Oct. 2025
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In general, the State Department encourages all Americans who travel abroad to sign up for its free Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) before any international trip.—
Michael Cappetta,
Travel + Leisure,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The situation raises broader questions about transparency, accountability, and the example set by Hialeah’s top official.—
Verónica Egui Brito,
Miami Herald,
23 Oct. 2025
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As people increasingly rely on AI assistants as search tools, and the study raises concerns about the potential proliferation of misinformation.—
Beatrice Nolan,
Fortune,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Regulates Appetite Magnesium stimulates the small intestine to release a hormone called cholecystokinin (CCK).—
Devineé Lingo,
Health,
22 Oct. 2025
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This stimulates your ability to talk to others and share your feelings.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Progesterone promotes cell death among defective cells that could turn cancerous.—
Jocelyn Solis-Moreira,
Flow Space,
27 Oct. 2025
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Healthy soil also promotes better nutrient absorption, allowing your lawn to better withstand disease and weeds.—
Patricia Shannon,
Southern Living,
26 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Something stirs beneath the surface as this mystifying energy takes hold, inviting us to explore the shadows, confront the truth and rise into transformation.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
22 Oct. 2025
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Produced by the Basra Cinema Center, of which Alkadumy is executive director, the film centers on Ahmed, a child with a speech impediment who is continually dismissed during Quranic lessons until defiance stirs within him, setting off a silent confrontation with his authoritative teacher.—
Essie Assibu,
Variety,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
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What triggers a government shutdown?—
Amanda Castro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Oct. 2025
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Coffee can briefly raise blood sugar since caffeine triggers stress hormones that release glucose into the bloodstream.—
Stephanie Anderson Witmer,
Health,
20 Oct. 2025
Verb
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SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe.—
Meghan Bartels,
Scientific American,
23 Oct. 2025
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Branching results like that inspires experimentation in character builds, which then encourages multiple playthroughs to see just how out-of-hand a situation could have gotten.—
Jason Fanelli,
Rolling Stone,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
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And when her romance with Denji threatens to become lethal, their love story turns twisted and incites a series of battles that could destroy Tokyo.—
Frank Scheck,
HollywoodReporter,
23 Oct. 2025
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This is the kind of rhetoric that incites violence.—
Marni Rose McFall,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Provokes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/provokes. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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