5
nettlesome(adjective, pain, sorrow, negative, emotion)
5
nudging(verb, motivating)
5
offending(verb, adjective, displeasing)
5
plaguing(verb, pain, irritating, annoying, mocking)
5
producing(verb, causing)
5
pushing(verb, motivating)
5
riling(verb, adjective, displeasing)
5
touching(adjective, moving, exciting, stirring, poignant)
5
triggering(verb, motivating)
4
angering(verb, displeasing)
4
bitter(adjective, unpleasant, vicious, painful, distressing)
4
distasteful(adjective, unpleasant, terrible, dirty, vicious)
4
emotional(adjective, moving, touching, exciting, stirring)
4
fermenting(verb, adjective, motivating)
4
hastening(verb, motivating)
4
irking(noun, slight, anger, rage, insult)
4
striking(verb, motivating)
4
teasing(verb, torture, upsetting, oppression, irritating)
4
tiresome(hard, severe, pain, offensive, distressing)
4
umbrage(noun, slight, offense, displeasure, exception)
11 years ago|13k views|share |citing 
APASmart Define. (2015). provoking thesaurus. Retrieved September 23, 2026, from https://smartdefine.org/provoking/thesaurus/synonyms
ChicagoSmart Define. 2015. "provoking thesaurus" https://smartdefine.org/provoking/thesaurus/synonyms (accessed September 23, 2026).
HarvardSmart Define 2015, provoking thesaurus, Smart Define, viewed 23 September, 2026, <https://smartdefine.org/provoking/thesaurus/synonyms>.
MLASmart Define. "provoking thesaurus" 20 July 2015. Web. 23 September 2026. <https://smartdefine.org/provoking/thesaurus/synonyms>