provoke

The Romanian filmmaker’s stoic drama is designed to provoke viewers in opposite directions, snaring them in waiting traps and causing them to concede in agony, “You have a point!”

From Salon ● Sep. 19, 2026

“Only when the enemies fear us, can they never dare provoke us.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 7, 2026

In the call between Messrs. Dermer and Sullivan that followed, the American warned that an attack on Hezbollah would provoke a regional war.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 4, 2026

Glowing magenta, she twirled above what looked to be a rising river, a physical representation of the swirling, engulfing thoughts that anxiety can provoke as she performed the song by the same name.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 30, 2026

He said it coolly, but he was clearly trying to provoke me.

From "Just Mercy" by Bryan Stevenson

The lack of stigma among the Hawaiians, we learn, is cause for colonial concern: Father Damien’s death becomes a local scandal, and provokes a moral panic among the American businessmen who had bought Hawaiian land.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 4, 2026

This John Stewart is purposefully calm and assured, even when Kyle Chandler’s Hal Jordan, an entitled jerk clinging to crusted-over glory, provokes him.

From Salon ● Aug. 31, 2026

But if West provokes a contest now, that rules Burnham out.

From BBC ● May 9, 2026

It provokes wonder at the density and dynamism of a fantasy city.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 16, 2026

I’ll see whether that provokes something—an unnatural response, any kind of reaction.

From "The Girl on the Train" by Paula Hawkins

And Univision Fresno provoked the Valley’s Latino community last year when it canceled a Spanish-language morning show featuring beloved anchor Lupita Lomeli.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 19, 2026

His death – and the speculation over what happened to him in the week between his daylight disappearance and the discovery of his body – became a huge news story that provoked countless unanswered questions.

From BBC ● Sep. 15, 2026

When terrorists attacked America on Sept. 11, 2001, they provoked a response that, seen from today’s perspective, seems remarkable: The country immediately united across every political and ideological divide.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 8, 2026

Supriyono, another protest coordinator, told AFP he was concerned the unrest could have been deliberately provoked.

From Barron's ● Sep. 3, 2026

I had provoked Raymond’s adversaries at the beach.

From "The Stranger" by Albert Camus

They say these molecules may have several practical advantages, including relatively inexpensive production, stability and a low likelihood of provoking an immune response.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 10, 2026

Then two 6-10 players suddenly showed up at Kennedy, provoking a City Section investigation.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 23, 2026

The Duchess of Sussex is a polarising figure in the UK, provoking strong reactions among her supporters and her detractors.

From BBC ● Jul. 10, 2026

Carney would try to sway the outcome, without provoking the superpower that imports three-quarters of Canada’s goods.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 8, 2026

His attempted poaching of Fermi succeeded only in provoking an outraged protest by Columbia to Bush, who forbade the move.

From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik