Thesaurus results for PROVOKES

provokes

verb

present tense third-person singular of provoke

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in raises

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

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 Now, new research reveals this kind of high-intensity training provokes a remarkably robust response throughout the bloodstream. — Will Stone, NPR, 24 Aug. 2026 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for provokes

Verb

This math subtraction worksheet encourages kids to cross out shapes to solve single-digit problems.

— Nicole Harris, Parents, 26 Aug. 2026
Stoddard encourages clients to try new coping tools during low-stakes moments, when their emotions are relatively mellow.

— Angela Haupt, Time, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of encourages

Verb

Stronger trade winds help to move warm surface water away from the South American coast, which stimulates upwelling—that is, the movement of cold, dense, and nutrient-rich deep ocean water toward the surface.

— John P. Rafferty, Encyclopedia Britannica, 21 Aug. 2026
That extra load stimulates bones to grow denser and challenges muscles to adapt.

— Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of stimulates

Verb

The essence has a high concentration of PDRN, which promotes cellular repair and collagen production, plus niacinamide and copper peptides to leave your skin firmer and smoother.

— Essence Wiley, InStyle, 26 Aug. 2026
These include blocks on nighttime use, daily time limits and stronger content controls to guard against bullying and content that promotes eating disorders.

— Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of promotes

Verb

But after two decades in the rearview, Pluto’s demotion still stirs anger and controversy, and many people regard its change in status as a very bad thing.

— Mike Brown, Scientific American, 24 Aug. 2026
That’s just one example of how Healy has become the straw that stirs the drink for the Huskies.

— Matt Le Cren, Chicago Tribune, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of stirs

Verb

The training triggers a strong response in the bloodstream, increasing the mobilization of proteins and molecules in the hours following exercise.

— Brittney Melton, NPR, 25 Aug. 2026
Hibernation on demand Hibernation is a specialty of squirrels, hamsters, and bears, but the neural circuit that triggers it is conserved across mammals, and is present in species that never hibernate in the wild—like mice.

— Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of triggers

Verb

Eating it inspires an appreciation for the seamless integration of Mexican and Middle Eastern influences, melding to a state of emphatic brilliance in each bite.

— The Bon Appétit Staff, Bon Appetit Magazine, 24 Aug. 2026
This is one of the BEST ways to recreate the communal devotion that the Premier League inspires.

— Matt Piper, New York Times, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of inspires

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“Provokes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/provokes. Accessed 29 Aug. 2026.

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verb

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