- present tense form of provoke (3rd person singular).
provokes
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.
The organisation said the attack "provokes the sentiments of Muslims worldwide" and represented a dangerous escalation.
From Barron's ● Oct. 2, 2026
The lack of stigma among the Hawaiians, we learn, is cause for colonial concern: Father Damien’s death becomes a local scandal, and provokes a moral panic among the American businessmen who had bought Hawaiian land.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 4, 2026
This John Stewart is purposefully calm and assured, even when Kyle Chandler’s Hal Jordan, an entitled jerk clinging to crusted-over glory, provokes him.
From Salon ● Aug. 31, 2026
But if West provokes a contest now, that rules Burnham out.
From BBC ● May 9, 2026
I’ll see whether that provokes something—an unnatural response, any kind of reaction.
From "The Girl on the Train" by Paula Hawkins
