provoking

[pruh-voh-king]

adjective

1. serving to provoke; causing annoyance.

Other Word Forms

• provokingly adverb
• unprovoking adjective
• unprovokingly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of provoking¹

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

Example Sentences

“And tomorrow Lady Constance will be out all day visiting the poor, which means we may come and go—” She could have said, “without provoking a ridiculous tantrum,” but that would have been unkind.

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They are charged with "provoking serious acts against public safety".

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The impact appeared to ripple out across markets, provoking a decline in prices of stocks and bonds.

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It was made into a movie starring Henry Fonda, provoking a backlash from agribusinesses and politicians, who accused Steinbeck of exaggeration or promoting socialism.

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Darmanin visited him while he was in prison, provoking outrage among opposition leaders.

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