provoking

Saypruh-VOHK-ingUS/pɹəˈvoʊkɪŋ/UK/pɹəˈvəʊkɪŋ/AUS/pɹəˈvəʉkɪŋ/

3 meanings of provoking

1
verb
Present participle and gerund of provoke. Use this form for an action happening now or as the name of the action.
She kept provoking her little brother until he started crying.
Provoking a fight was exactly what the bully wanted.
Note
2
adjective
Making someone feel angry or annoyed.
Like someone poking you again and again until you finally get mad.
His provoking remarks made everyone at the table uncomfortable.
She gave a provoking little smile that dared him to argue.
Similarannoying, irritating, exasperating, aggravating, infuriating
Oppositesoothing, calming
3
noununcountable
The act of making someone angry or upset on purpose.
Their constant provoking finally pushed him to leave the room.
He said the insult was nothing but deliberate provoking.
Similarprovocation, goading, taunting, baiting, needling
Note

provoking is a form of provoke

provoke, verb: To cause something to happen, like a feeling or a reply. Full entry

Forms: provokeprovokes he/she/itprovoking -ing formprovoked past tense, past participle
Spelling: provoke → provoking: drop the e, add -ing

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