provokes

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "provokes" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used as a verb, meaning to incite or provoke, or move to action or thought. For example, "The sight of so much suffering provoked him to take action and help out."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It provokes a debate about Europe's role in sustainability.

The Guardian

While some protest that the question is unimportant, it still provokes strong feelings.

The Guardian - Books

But much in the same way insurance coverage or subsidies for birth control are mocked or met with outrage, the idea of women even getting small tax breaks for menstrual products provokes incredulousness because some people lack an incredible amount of empathy... and because it has something to do with vaginas.

The Guardian - Opinion

"There's contact," admitted the Atlético director Clemente Villaverde, "but I don't know who provokes it".

The Guardian - Sport

"We'll urgently look at a [public inquiry] because I certainly appreciate how serious this is, how this provokes very strong emotions, dismay, outrage amongst the victims' relatives and families, so we do want to make sure that we do everything to get to the bottom of exactly what did and didn't happen," the deputy prime minister said.

The Guardian

As for Tony Blair: whatever some people say about his record, especially on Iraq, he is simply not in the same league as Thatcher, or even Brown, as a leader who provokes an extreme response.

The Guardian - Opinion

This is an elegant and clever moment where gender transcends class, and it provokes tears in the audience.

The Guardian

Kamerić's work, a mortuary fridge with a screen that flashes up random images from her search – around 30,000 photographs, documents, records, satellite images and hours of video, provokes a feeling not only of her unfolding mission but the vast scale of the crimes.

The Guardian - Arts

It's Mercury who provokes gasps when he appears on screen to "duet" with Lambert in a Bohemian Rhapsody so riotous one fears the venue may combust.

The Guardian - Music

Pakistan is narrowly negative; only Nigeria provokes anything like the hostility we accord to people from Bulgaria and Romania.

The Guardian - Opinion

Mr Obama will be incandescent if Israel provokes a war which he has said is not yet necessary, and on the eve of an election.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "provokes", consider the emotional or behavioral response you want to emphasize. Choose synonyms that more precisely convey the type of reaction, such as "elicits" for subtle responses or "triggers" for immediate reactions.

Common error

While "provokes" is versatile, overuse in formal contexts can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your word choice by using more specific verbs like "engenders", "fosters", or "precipitates" to enhance clarity and sophistication.

Linguistic Context

The verb form "provokes" primarily functions as a third-person singular present tense verb. It describes an action of causing a reaction, feeling, or response in someone or something. As Ludwig AI suggests, it indicates an instigating or stimulating action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Formal & Business

22%

Science

22%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "provokes" functions as a verb describing the action of eliciting a response or reaction. According to Ludwig AI it indicates a stimuling action. It's grammatically correct and commonly used across diverse contexts, from news media to formal business settings. While versatile, varying your word choice with synonyms like "elicits" or "instigates" can enhance clarity and sophistication. As Ludwig's examples show, "provokes" effectively highlights cause-and-effect relationships, emphasizing the impact of actions or events.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

elicits

Focuses on drawing out a response or reaction, often subtle.

triggers

Emphasizes a chain reaction or immediate response.

instigates

Highlights the initiation of an action or event, often implying a deliberate act.

stimulates

Suggests encouragement or invigoration, often related to growth or activity.

generates

Focuses on the creation or production of something as a result.

causes

A general term indicating direct causation, less nuanced than "provokes".

sparks

Implies a sudden and often intense reaction or beginning.

induces

Suggests persuasion or influence leading to a specific outcome.

prompts

Focuses on urging or encouraging a particular action or response.

evokes

Emphasizes the calling forth of memories, feelings, or images.

FAQs

How can I use "provokes" in a sentence?

You can use "provokes" to describe something that causes a reaction, feeling, or action. For instance, "The controversial policy provoked widespread debate."

What can I say instead of "provokes"?

You can use alternatives like "elicits", "triggers", or "instigates" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "provokes" and "causes"?

"Provokes" often implies a more emotional or reactive response, while "causes" is a more general term for direct causation. For example, "The accident caused damage" versus "The insult provoked anger."

When is it appropriate to use "provokes" in writing?

Use "provokes" when you want to emphasize that something elicits a strong or noticeable reaction, especially in situations where emotions or behaviors are involved.