How to Use provoke in a Sentence

provoke

verb
Definition of provokenext
Synonyms for provokenext
  • He just says those things because he's trying to provoke you.
  • His remarks provoked both tears and laughter.
  • The animal will not attack unless it is provoked.
  • This provokes the ire of Tedros, who slaps him hard across the face.
    — Katcy Stephan, Variety, 18 June 2023
  • The moon’s clash with Mars provokes high-drama moments.
    — USA TODAY, 1 June 2023
  • To be provoked at all by Aggro Dr1ft, or Harmony Korine, is to take the bait.
    — John Semley, WIRED, 9 Oct. 2023
  • And Europe’s largest armed conflict since the end of the world war, provoked by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
    — Ned Temko, The Christian Science Monitor, 21 Sep. 2023
  • Provocation Also, ask what makes the pain worse, or provokes it.
    — Jenny Sweigard, Verywell Health, 5 Mar. 2024
  • The Halloween Tree is a heartwarming and thought provoking story that both kids and adults can learn from.
    — Anna Mahan, Country Living, 29 Aug. 2023
  • But its run was short-lived, as the ad was subjected to backlash, provoking calls for boycotts and bomb threats against Ikea stores.
    — Taylor Telford, Washington Post, 16 June 2023
  • Start with a cozy cool manicure—and perhaps a sip of the warming latte that provoked the polish job.
    — Calin Van Paris, Vogue, 19 Sep. 2023
  • Sanford Gifford’s Sketch on the Roman Campagna, a precious gem from 1868, provoked not a peep.
    — Brian T. Allen, National Review, 27 Jan. 2024
  • Sarah provokes Bananas and things devolve quickly from there, causing Bananas to just get up and leave.
    — Sydney Bucksbaum, EW.com, 5 Apr. 2023
  • Some sea cucumbers are also known to shoot out a tangle of sticky, noodle-like goo from their butts when provoked.
    — Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 15 Nov. 2023
  • At the core of Killers of the Flower Moon is their relationship, a union sure to provoke heated debate on themes of race, love and betrayal.
    — Seth Abramovitch, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 May 2023
  • The case has provoked public outrage and reopened debate about the status of women in China.
    — Keith Bradsher, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2023
  • Overuse of water and a 23-year drought made worse by climate change threatened to provoke a water and power catastrophe across the West.
    — Marc Lacey, New York Times, 18 Dec. 2023
  • In an attempt to provoke Europe, refugees are lured to the border by propaganda promising easy passage to the EU.
    — Leo Barraclough, Variety, 29 Aug. 2023
  • Rubin alleged Muniz was trying to leave her home, but Self placed herself in front of her car and slammed her fists on the car’s hood in an attempt to provoke a fight.
    — City News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Dec. 2023
  • And if that didn’t work, the apes escalated their behavior to provoke a response.
    — Christian Thorsberg, Smithsonian Magazine, 15 Feb. 2024
  • The final two acts served as something like Madonna’s statements of intent — to provoke, to enrich, to confound.
    — Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 14 Dec. 2023
  • For her this habit is based on the evocative power that aromas have and their ability to provoke sensations.
    — Ana Morales, Glamour, 13 Nov. 2023
  • Masalit leaders, in turn, have at times been accused by Arabs of provoking violence.
    — Rick Noack, Washington Post, 18 July 2023
  • The music blasting in the open air provoked me and others to dance, bringing back my own happy feelings from decades earlier.
    — Wendy S. Walters, Harper's BAZAAR, 11 July 2023
  • The sun’s alignment with Uranus provokes an identity crisis.
    — USA TODAY, 9 May 2023
  • And the Iron Man Ceiling Mural is no exception, provoking plenty of comments of its own.
    — Kelsey Mulvey, House Beautiful, 24 July 2023
  • Gnarly as some of those earlier choices might have been, they were designed to provoke a reaction.
    — Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 Feb. 2024
  • That has provoked an outcry from EV owners who can lose hours a day locating working chargers and then waiting in line to use them.
    — Russ Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 15 Feb. 2024
  • After Xander and Ziva died last year, Crystal shut the doors to their rooms to avoid seeing a toy or trophy that would provoke memories.
    — Kyle Melnick, Washington Post, 22 Mar. 2023
  • As the jokes continued, Kobe took to his teammate's defense, provoking an immense sense of pride from Jackson.
    — Chris Barilla, Peoplemag, 9 Feb. 2024

Some of these examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'provoke.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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