provoke
verb (used with object)
to anger, enrage, exasperate, or vex.
had been provoking
-
past perfect progressiveof provoke.past perfect progressive
Used to describe an action that was ongoing continuously in the past up until another past event interrupted it.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"The Hezbollah guys in the area had been provoking them for months," said a Sunni woman resident, who asked not to be named.
From Reuters ● Jun. 25, 2013
Tom knew well that he should get into trouble if it was found out that he had been provoking the creature; so down he slipped, and was off in another direction in a few minutes.
From The Fairchild Family by Florence M. Rudland
He hardly knew; but she had been provoking, and he had been tired, impatient; there had been a great scene, and then this silence, which he swore he would not break.
From Melody : the Story of a Child by Laura Elizabeth Howe Richards
