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PROVOKING
| Pronunciation (US): |  | (GB): | |
I. (adjective)
Sense 1
Meaning:
Causing or tending to cause anger or resentment
Example:
a provoking delay at the airport
Synonyms:
agitating; agitative; provoking
Classified under:
Similar:
provocative (serving or tending to provoke, excite, or stimulate; stimulating discussion or exciting controversy)
II. (verb)
Sense 1
-ing form of the verb provoke
Context examples:
I could not go there by daylight without provoking comment, but as soon as night fell I hurried off to see my dear Arthur.
(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
These provoking toxins make other strains increase their aggression levels by boosting their toxic response.
(Bacteria Can 'Divide and Conquer' to Vanquish Their Enemies, The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)
This is all very provoking to Miss Scatcherd, who is naturally neat, punctual, and particular.
(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)
It is indeed for Mrs. Jennings; how provoking!
(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)
“And now we shall just miss them; too provoking! I do not know when I have been so disappointed.”
(Emma, by Jane Austen)
Meg drew her aside, under pretense of pinning up a loose braid, and said approvingly, "It was dreadfully provoking, but you kept your temper, and I'm so glad, Jo."
(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)
On his approaching them soon afterwards, though without seeming to have any intention of speaking, Miss Lucas defied her friend to mention such a subject to him; which immediately provoking Elizabeth to do it, she turned to him and said: Did you not think, Mr. Darcy, that I expressed myself uncommonly well just now, when I was teasing Colonel Forster to give us a ball at Meryton?
(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)
How very provoking!
(Northanger Abbey, by Jane Austen)
As well as producing toxins that directly kill their competitors, bacteria can release toxins that can act as 'provoking agents'.
(Bacteria Can 'Divide and Conquer' to Vanquish Their Enemies, The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)
I thought Diana very provoking, and felt uncomfortably confused; and while I was thus thinking and feeling, St. John bent his head; his Greek face was brought to a level with mine, his eyes questioned my eyes piercingly—he kissed me.
(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)
