7 uses
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Definition
to cause a reaction — typically an emotional reaction such as anger; and sometimes caused intentionally
- 'It's VERY provoking,' Humpty Dumpty said after a long silence, looking away from Alice as he spoke, 'to be called an egg—VERY!'Chapter 6 -- Humpty Dumpty (6% in)
provoking = irritating (causing an angry reaction)
- A little provoked, she drew back, and after looking everywhere for the queen (whom she spied out at last, a long way off), she thought she would try the plan, this time, of walking in the opposite direction.Chapter 2 -- The Garden of Live Flowers (46% in)
- 'And this one is the most provoking of all—but I'll tell you what—' she added, as a sudden thought struck her, 'I'll follow it up to the very top shelf of all.Chapter 5 -- Wool and Water (59% in)
- 'And it certainly DID seem a little provoking ('almost as if it happened on purpose,' she thought) that, though she managed to pick plenty of beautiful rushes as the boat glided by, there was always a more lovely one that she couldn't reach.Chapter 5 -- Wool and Water (80% in)
- 'It is a—MOST—PROVOKING—thing,' he said at last, 'when a person doesn't know a cravat from a belt!'Chapter 6 -- Humpty Dumpty (38% in)
- 'It's very provoking!' she said, in reply to the Lion (she was getting quite used to being called 'the Monster').Chapter 7 -- The Lion and the Unicorn (90% in)
- But the provoking kitten only began on the other paw, and pretended it hadn't heard the question.Chapter 12 -- Which Dreamed it? (81% in)
There are no more uses of "provoke" in Through the Looking-Glass.
Typical Usage
(best examples)