PROVOKING in a Sentence

Learn PROVOKING from example sentences, some of them are from classic books. These examples are selected from a corpus with 300,000 sentences, including classic works and current mainstream media. Some sentences also link to their contexts.

For PROVOKING, below is one of 84 sentences:
I could not go there by daylight without provoking comment, but as soon as night fell I hurried off to see my dear Arthur.

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 Meanings and Examples of PROVOKING
Definition Example Sentence Classic Sentence
provoking
 a.  troubling the nerves or peace of mind, as by repeated vexations
Classic Sentence: (64 in 5 pages)
1  It was very provoking to be arrested in the act of a first trying-on, and ordered out to make calls in her best array on a warm July day.
Little Women By Louisa May Alcott
Context  Highlight   In CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
2  He left the house as he spoke, and went back to Piraeus who gave him welcome, but the suitors kept looking at one another and provoking Telemachus by laughing at the strangers.
The Odyssey By Homer
Context  Highlight   In BOOK XX
3  This is all very provoking to Miss Scatcherd, who is naturally neat, punctual, and particular.
Jane Eyre By Charlotte Bronte
Context  Highlight   In CHAPTER VI
4  I remember being in the parlour after they had quarrelled, and Edgar being cruelly provoking, and me running into this room desperate.
Wuthering Heights By Emily Bronte
Context  Highlight   In CHAPTER XII
5  The complaints and lamentations which politeness had hitherto restrained, now burst forth universally; and they all agreed again and again how provoking it was to be so disappointed.
Sense and Sensibility By Jane Austen
Context  Highlight   In CHAPTER 13
6  My dear," said he to his lady, "it is very provoking that we should be so few.
Sense and Sensibility By Jane Austen
Context  Highlight   In CHAPTER 20
7  And I can't bear to hear you provoking the gentlemen, and endangering of yourself more.
David Copperfield By Charles Dickens
Context  Highlight   In CHAPTER 52. I ASSIST AT AN EXPLOSION
8  She drew herself into an attitude not of defiance, but of resolution, as one that would avoid provoking assault, yet was resolute to repel it, being offered, to the utmost of her power.
Ivanhoe By Walter Scott
Context  Highlight   In CHAPTER XXXIX
9  He surmised my secret, and has presumed ever since upon the claim which he has upon me, and upon his power of provoking a scandal which would be abhorrent to me.
The Return of Sherlock Holmes By Arthur Conan Doyle
Context  Highlight   In V. THE ADVENTURE OF THE PRIORY SCHOOL
10  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 Arthur Conan Doyle
Context  Highlight   In V. THE ADVENTURE OF THE PRIORY SCHOOL
11  Gregor remained all this time on the floor, largely because he feared his father might see it as especially provoking if he fled onto the wall or ceiling.
Metamorphosis By Franz Kafka
Context  Highlight   In II
12  This second man was standing with his legs crossed and his elbows on the backrest of the chair, provoking much laughter.
The Trial By Franz Kafka
Context  Highlight   In Chapter Two First Cross-examination
13  de Morcerf, and that of the whole House, he proposed to defend, by provoking a debate on personal questions, which are always such painful themes of discussion.
The Count of Monte Cristo By Alexandre Dumas
Context  Highlight   In Chapter 86. The Trial.
14  "You do really try to be provoking," said Marie.
Uncle Tom's Cabin By Harriet Beecher Stowe
Context  Highlight   In CHAPTER XVI
15  You are a provoking little witch, Louka.
Arms and the Man By George Bernard Shaw
Context  Highlight   In ACT II
Example Sentence: (20 in 2 pages)
1  When she had got its head down, and was going to begin again, it was very provoking to find that the hedgehog had unrolled itself, and was in the act of crawling away.
2  The comments and debates have been lively, civilized, fun and thought provoking, which is exactly what online exchanges ought to be.
3  His actions provoked severe criticism from civil rights groups.
4  The lawyer claimed his client was provoked into acts of violence by the defendant.
5  The noise would have provoked alarm and neighbourly concern.
6  The demonstrations were provoked by the unexplained death of an opposition leader.
7  This television program provoked a spirited debate in the United Kingdom.
8  The release from prison of two of the terrorists has provoked a public outcry.
9  The comments provoked an angry response from union leaders.
10  The remark provoked an angry response from the crowd.
11  The suggestion inevitably provoked outrage from student leaders.
12  The band, made up of four previously unknown young actors, have provoked hysteria across Asia since starring in the Taiwanese TV series.
13  The spate of suicide bombings has provoked a massive military reaction from the Israeli government, a government which is confident of public backing.
14  He started beating me when I was about fifteen but I didn't do anything to provoke him.
15  The article was intended to provoke discussion.