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provoking

[pruh-voh-king] / prəˈvoʊ kɪŋ /


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 study, "Creative problem-solving after experimentally provoking dreams of unsolved puzzles during REM sleep" was published in the journal Neuroscience of Consciousness on Feb. 5.

From Science Daily • Feb. 15, 2026

Her style is confrontational and seemingly fearless, often provoking hugely divergent reactions from critics and fans.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 11, 2026

That is a profound commitment, provoking its own big, unanswered questions: how many and for how long?

From BBC • Jan. 6, 2026

Around the world, the plinks and pops of pickleball have spawned outrage, provoking protests and even lawsuits.

From Barron's • Dec. 28, 2025

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