- 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.
Hours after Pillay was named the laureate, the United States announced new sanctions against the ICC, provoking swift condemnation from member states and the United Nations.
From Barron's ● Oct. 10, 2026
Now Uber says it has removed its familiar branding from the sides of its four-wheel drive vehicles to avoid provoking a fight with the traditional guides.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 27, 2026
The technology allows users to make calls, interact with AI hands-free and also take photos and videos simply by touching the frames, provoking concerns about privacy.
From BBC ● Sep. 12, 2026
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
He seemed to ignore that settlers were provoking the Indigenous peoples, who were well aware of what the settlers intended.
From "An Indigenous People’s History of the United States" by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.