provoking

American  

[pruh-voh-king] / prəˈvoʊ kɪŋ /

adjective

1. serving to provoke; causing annoyance.

---

Other Word Forms

• provokingly adverb
• unprovoking adjective
• unprovokingly adverb

Etymology

Origin of provoking

First recorded in 1520–30; provoke + -ing ²

Example Sentences

"Cinema can do something better, which is provoking empathy."

From BBC

Sir Keir is leaning in, again, to his strategy of avoiding provoking Washington: he said he wanted "calm discussion" involving "mature alliances" but that close allies could disagree and "being pragmatic doesn't mean being passive."

From BBC

That is a profound commitment, provoking its own big, unanswered questions: how many and for how long?

From BBC

"We will act responsibly, without escalating the conflict or provoking disputes," Lai said in a Facebook post.

From Barron's

But he said Taipei would "act responsibly, without escalating the conflict or provoking disputes".

From Barron's