provokes

verb

present tense third-person singular of provoke
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

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 provokes The film starts in nature, and the whole experience provokes ideas and inspires something closer to poetry than nostalgia. — Jesse Kirshbaum, SPIN, 7 Aug. 2026 Homer, the enigmatic poet, still provokes and inspires us all. — John Blake, CNN Money, 2 Aug. 2026 The second provokes disappointment, but both provide closure. — Alejandro Cárdenas Villa, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026 In my own research, threatening a man’s sense of manhood – but not a woman’s womanhood – reliably provokes aggression, and the men who react most strongly are those who feel the most pressure to live up to masculine ideals. — Adam Stanaland, The Conversation, 20 July 2026 However, his light-hearted approach provokes the hostility of the church. — Leo Barraclough, Variety, 17 July 2026 Indeed, of all the mid-century American novels to stand the test of time, perhaps only On the Road provokes a comparably polarizing response among contemporary readers. — Book Marks, Literary Hub, 16 July 2026 Another friend recounted the ins-and-outs of her 11-year-old’s baseball league, which provokes more political intrigue than a Hilary Mantel novel. — Mary Pauline Lowry, PEOPLE, 5 July 2026 His jealousy provokes an act of betrayal and cruelty. — Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 18 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for provokes
  1. encourages
  2. raises
  3. stimulates
  4. promotes
  5. stirs
  6. triggers
  7. inspires
  8. incites
Verb
  • There is an agency in charge of enforcing the rules with the objective of putting guardrails around a spending spree exacerbated by a transfer portal that encourages players to seek better offers from different schools.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Painting outdoors offers a slower, more immersive experience that encourages observation, patience, and connection with nature.
    — George Nelson, ARTnews.com, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of encourages
Verb
  • Panthea takes the opportunity to bring Amanda her purse and try to bury the hatchet and, strangely, this is the only moment that Amanda really raises her voice.
    — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Misperception of these operations raises potential risk to both the United States and participants in the Program.
    — Jill Goldenziel, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of raises
Verb
  • Repeatedly loading the muscles stimulates them to grow bigger and stronger in order to adapt to the demands placed on them.
    — Jenessa Connor, HEALTH, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Deadheading daisies helps maintain a tidy appearance, stimulates new growth, and encourages prolific blooms.
    — The Spruce, The Spruce, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of stimulates
Verb
  • They were also provided with Qurans and taught that Islam promotes social justice, according to the lawsuit.
    — Stephanie Lam, Mercury News, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Dehnhard also helps displaced orphans, organizes humanitarian aid, promotes educational initiatives, and advocates for children.
    — Lyssanoel Frater, USA Today, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of promotes
Verb
  • The kitchen buzzes as volunteers carry in trays of Creole dishes and barbecue while one of the sisters stirs a large cooler of lemon margaritas.
    — Windsor Johnston, NPR, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Refusing to do so, Luis stirs a rivalry and potentially endangers his own employment.
    — Dennis Harvey, Variety, 31 July 2026
Definition of stirs
Verb
  • But the state of New York offers defendants strong double jeopardy protections; in New York, a prior conviction—either through a guilty plea or a guilty verdict after a trial—for the same offense typically triggers double jeopardy.
    — Chantelle Lee, Time, 18 Aug. 2026
  • It’s encapsulated in exosome technology and powered by their Suprême Skin Bio-Complex that’s rich in peptides and visibly triggers skin renewal, plus evens, brightens and firms in four weeks.
    — Celia Shatzman, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of triggers
Verb
  • This shift inspires a fresh collection of cocktail ideas, artfully blending vibrant summer fruits like pineapple, peach, and grapefruit with autumnal notes of cranberry and maraschino cherry.
    — John Kell, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026
  • That sentiment inspires Sony Vizha – a celebration of Tamil culture, deeply rooted in emotion and imagined for a wider world.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of inspires
Verb
  • Every day, there’s seemingly some new report or rumor that incites the social media machine.
    — Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 22 July 2026
  • The rule will also apply to any team official who incites players to leave the field of play in protest.
    — Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 3 June 2026
Definition of incites

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Cite this Entry

“Provokes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/provokes. Accessed 21 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of provokes for Spanish Speakers

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