provoking discord

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "provoking discord" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe actions or statements that create conflict or disagreement among individuals or groups. Example: "His comments during the meeting were seen as provoking discord among team members, leading to a heated debate."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

It is, then, a political decision, and indeed one provoking discord in Mrs Merkel's cabinet.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

But it is afraid that a bigger crackdown might provoke discord in Hamas's own ranks.

The Economist

Another militant commander, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said that the killing of several innocent tribesmen by the Taliban's "spy squads" had provoked discord in militant ranks over the past year, and led to a drop in summary executions.

The New York Times

Such was the acrimony and national rivalry stirred up by the cycloid that it became known as the Helen of geometers because of its beauty and ability to provoke discord.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Today "Terrorists in Retirement" would no longer provoke discord here, partly because the Communist Party is now a shadow of its old self, but, more important, because little remains of the Gaullist myth that France stood firm against the Nazi occupiers.

The New York Times

Mueller's insistence on centralizing decision-making and control of counterterrorism operations at F.B.I. headquarters has provoked discord in some of the F.B.I.'s fifty-six bureacrossross the nation.

The New Yorker

Since campaigning began in force, the same-sex marriage referendum has also provoked discord and factionalism within the Catholic Church.

Vice

Mr. Shaath said President Clinton first reviewed a final copy of the document on Friday and suggested summoning the parties to review it rather than making it public, to the risk of provoking further discord.

The New York Times

In any case, there will be events that provoke discord between Britain and the EU.

The Guardian - Opinion

It is not only play-off finals that provoke surprisingly little discord.

The Guardian - Sport

But the main effect of Lauren's malaise is to provoke frissons of discord between Sarabeth and Liz.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "provoking discord", consider the specific type of disagreement you want to highlight. Choose synonyms that accurately reflect the intensity and nature of the conflict.

Common error

While "provoking discord" is acceptable, it can sometimes sound overly dramatic in professional settings. Opt for alternatives like "creating disagreement" or "generating conflict" for a more neutral tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "provoking discord" functions as a verb phrase followed by a noun, where "provoking" acts as a present participle modifying the noun "discord." It describes the act of initiating or causing disagreement and strife. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "provoking discord" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that describes the act of causing disagreement or conflict. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While not exceedingly common, it appears frequently in news and media contexts, as well as encyclopedias, suggesting a neutral to slightly formal register. When using this phrase, consider the intensity of the conflict you wish to convey and choose synonyms like "inciting conflict" or "stirring up trouble" to appropriately reflect the situation. Be mindful of potentially overdramatic connotations in professional environments, and opt for more neutral alternatives if necessary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inciting conflict

Focuses on the active encouragement of conflict, slightly stronger than simply provoking.

stirring up trouble

More informal, implying a deliberate attempt to create problems or arguments.

fomenting dissent

Emphasizes the encouragement of opposition to an established authority.

sparking controversy

Highlights the initiation of public debate and disagreement.

breeding antagonism

Focuses on the creation of hostile feelings and opposition.

triggering disputes

Highlights that something initiates a series of arguments.

causing friction

More subtle, implying minor conflicts or irritations.

creating disharmony

Focuses on disturbing the peace and unity within a group.

generating strife

Emphasizes bitter and sometimes violent conflict.

instigating disagreement

A more formal and neutral alternative, simply referring to the start of a disagreement.

FAQs

What does "provoking discord" mean?

The phrase "provoking discord" means causing or instigating disagreement, conflict, or disharmony. It suggests that someone or something is actively contributing to a lack of agreement or peace.

How to use "provoking discord" in a sentence?

You can use "provoking discord" to describe situations where actions or words lead to conflict, such as: "His comments during the meeting were seen as "provoking discord" among team members." To avoid overusing this phrase, consider "inciting conflict", or "stirring up trouble".

What can I say instead of "provoking discord"?

You can use alternatives like "inciting conflict", "stirring up trouble", or "fomenting dissent" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "provoking discord" and "creating conflict"?

"Provoking discord" implies an active instigation of disagreement, while "creating conflict" is a more general term that encompasses any action that leads to conflict, whether intentional or not. In general, "causing friction" is more accidental or unintentional than "provoking discord".