provokingly

American  

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

adverb

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

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Example Sentences

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

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

It is also spectacular, beautiful in patches and coldly, provokingly weird in others, sometimes both at once.

From Time Magazine Archive

I shall send this to Arthur Benson with the request that he will kindly transmit it to you—since I fail thus, provokingly, of having your address before me.

From The Letters of Henry James, Vol. II by James, Henry