provoking Meaning, Definition & Usage

1. verb call forth (emotions, feelings, and responses)
   raise; fire; enkindle; elicit; arouse; evoke; kindle; provoke.
   
   • arouse pity
   • raise a smile
   • evoke sympathy
2. verb evoke or provoke to appear or occur
   provoke; evoke; call forth; kick up.
   
   • Her behavior provoked a quarrel between the couple
3. verb provide the needed stimulus for
   provoke; stimulate.
   
4. verb annoy continually or chronically
   beset; chivy; chevy; chevvy; harass; hassle; chivvy; harry; plague; molest; provoke.
   
   • He is known to harry his staff when he is overworked
   • This man harasses his female co-workers
5. adjective satellite causing or tending to cause anger or resentment
   agitating; agitative.
   
   • a provoking delay at the airport

WordNet