- present participle of provoke.
provoking
Americanadjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of provoking
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.
They say these molecules may have several practical advantages, including relatively inexpensive production, stability and a low likelihood of provoking an immune response.
From Science Daily ● Sep. 10, 2026
Campbell explained that second-generation Irish identity is often misunderstood, with artistic expressions of that heritage frequently provoking mixed reactions.
From BBC ● Aug. 5, 2026
For some time, Nicaragua’s leaders have largely avoided provoking Trump.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 26, 2026
At the same time, the allies were trying to step back from a decades-old dependency on American technology, military power, and trade, without provoking Washington.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 8, 2026
“I never really saw it,” said the provoking girl.
From "Secrets at Sea" by Richard Peck
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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.