Synonyms for provoking
- adjective
Most common
agitating agitative irritating aggravating provocative tormenting
Synonyms by meaning
Adjective
2. Irritating — annoying; irritating
Other
Definitions
- adj. 1
annoying; irritating
Would you stop interrupting me, dear? It's a most provoking habit.
Example sentences
- agitating A new affair is agitating the police administration.
- irritating My neighbor's dog's constant barking is irritating.
- aggravating Drunkenness should be an aggravating factor when you commit a crime.
- provocative Layla posted some provocative pictures on Instagram.
- tormenting I don't want to continue tormenting myself anymore.
Popularity over time
| Word | 1850 → 2019 | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| provoking | rising | |
| agitating | falling | |
| agitative | steady | |
| irritating | rising | |
| aggravating | rising | |
| provocative | steady |
Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.
By length
- 6 letters
- vexing2
- 8 letters
- annoying3
- 9 letters
- agitating4, vexatious3, agitative
- 10 letters
- irritating4, tormenting3
- 11 letters
- provocative4, aggravating4
The small number after each word is its number of syllables (vexing2 = 2 syllables).