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provokingly

American  
[pruh-vohk-ing-lee] / prəˈvoʊk ɪŋ li /

adverb

  1. in a way that tends or seeks to provoke; irritatingly or annoyingly.


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.

See Examples For:

Alas, Terry also admires Nadia, Célestin’s beautiful and provokingly reticent wife, a singer with a Haitian band.

From The New Yorker Mar. 21, 2016

She is known to want naval parity with Britain and the U. S. but her want thus far has been made known by Tokyo statesmen in statements provokingly unofficial.

From Time Magazine Archive

Disdaining pitchfork theatrics, he is a provokingly cool customer even when buying souls, with a tart, casual manner and a fine, stylish unwholesomeness.

From Time Magazine Archive

Most startling, provokingly cryptic was Lord d'Abernon's conclusion: "The situation could be remedied within a month by joint action of the principal gold-using countries through the taking of necessary steps by the central banks."

From Time Magazine Archive

Instead of provokingly staring without seeing her, he observed how fresh was her complexion, how silken and golden and heavy were the loose plaits of her unpowdered hair.

From The Maid of Honour, Vol. 1 (of 3) A Tale of the Dark Days of France by Lewis Wingfield

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