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Provoking: meaning, definitions and examples

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provoking

 

[ prəˈvəʊkɪŋ ]

Adjective / Verb
Context #1 | Adjective

behavior

Causing a strong and often negative reaction in others; deliberately stirring up conflict or emotions.

Synonyms

aggravating, annoying, inflammatory, irritating

Examples of usage

  • He has a knack for making provoking comments that get under people's skin.
  • Her provoking behavior led to an argument with her colleagues.
  • The movie's provoking scenes sparked controversy among viewers.
Context #2 | Verb

reaction

To stimulate or incite (someone) to do or feel something, especially by arousing strong emotions.

Synonyms

arouse, evoke, prompt, trigger

Examples of usage

  • The article was written to provoke discussion on the topic.
  • Her words provoked fear in the audience.
  • The painting provoked strong emotions in everyone who viewed it.

Translations

Translations of the word "provoking" in other languages:

🇵🇹 provocando

🇮🇳 उकसाने वाला

🇩🇪 provozierend

🇮🇩 memprovokasi

🇺🇦 провокуючий

🇵🇱 prowokujący

🇯🇵 挑発的な (chōhatsu-teki na)

🇫🇷 provoquant

🇪🇸 provocador

🇹🇷 kışkırtıcı

🇰🇷 도발적인 (dobaljeog-in)

🇸🇦 استفزازي

🇨🇿 provokativní

🇸🇰 provokatívny

🇨🇳 挑衅的 (tiǎoxìn de)

🇸🇮 provokativen

🇮🇸 ögrandi

🇰🇿 арандатушы

🇬🇪 გამაღიზიანებელი (gamagizianebeli)

🇦🇿 təhrikedici

🇲🇽 provocador

Word origin

The word 'provoking' has its origins in the Middle English word 'provoken', from the Latin 'provocare', which means 'to call forth'. Over time, the meaning has evolved to signify the act of causing a reaction or stirring up emotions in others.

See also: provocateur, provocation, provocative, provocatively, provoke, provoker, provokingly, unprovoked.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #12,947, this word is part of sophisticated English vocabulary. It's useful for academic or professional contexts where precise language is needed.