- 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.
Truly creative and inspiring art undermines that goal, because it provokes responses like empathy and critical thinking in audiences — which gets in the way of authoritarian domination.
From Salon ● Jul. 20, 2026
But whether they found it indispensable or utterly disgusting, it was clear that ranch provokes strong opinions, which is essential for success in the attention economy.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 17, 2026
For the past decade or so, there has been an international football star whose name provokes a smile of recognition among residents of a south of Scotland town.
From BBC ● Jul. 3, 2026
The romantic element of Sondheim’s score is best captured in the gorgeous singing of Chris Hunter’s Anthony Hope, whose crooning of “Johanna” provokes an epidemic of goosebumps throughout La Mirada Theatre.
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 3, 2026
“Take charge of him. You speak his tongue. See that he is fed and find him a warm place by the fire. Stay with him. See that no one provokes him.”
From "A Dance with Dragons" by George R. R. Martin
