provoking

American  

[pruh-voh-king] / prəˈvoʊ kɪŋ /

adjective

1. serving to provoke; causing annoyance.

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Other Word Forms

• provokingly adverb
• unprovoking adjective
• unprovokingly adverb

Etymology

Origin of provoking

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

Example Sentences

For one group of moms, the threatened Los Angeles Unified School District strike that would shutter campuses next week is provoking outright fear.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 10, 2026

According to the study, this engineered transplant can promote bone healing without provoking strong immune reactions.

From Science Daily • Mar. 7, 2026

So far, however, Abu Dhabi has largely remained silent, with Emirati professor of political science Abdulkhaleq Abdulla saying the UAE is "not in the habit of provoking our big brother".

From Barron's • Jan. 25, 2026

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

From BBC • Jan. 20, 2026

The provoking girl was picking one last flake of confetti off her front fur.

From "Secrets at Sea" by Richard Peck