provokinglyadv.
/prəˈvəʊkɪŋli/, U.S. /prəˈvoʊkɪŋli/, /proʊˈvoʊkɪŋli/ 1. In a way that incites, instigates, or tempts; provocatively.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sexual relations > sexual desire > [adverb]
provokingly1615
erotically1882
provocatively1882
sexily1929
the mind > will > motivation > [adverb] > incitingly
stirringly1382
provokingly1615
pungitively1617
impulsively1825
incitingly1856
urginglyc1882
stimulatingly1927
society > morality > moral evil > licentiousness > unchastity > lasciviousness or lust > [adverb] > in a manner exciting lust
provokingly1615
provocatively1882
1615 G. Sandys Relation of Journey 78 The women did sit, when admitted..: for them to lie along, [was] esteemed too prouokingly lasciuious.
1673 R. Baxter Christian Directory iv. vii. 523 Be not angry both at once,..do not cast on Oyle or fuel, by answering provokingly and sharply, or by..answering wrath with wrath.
1731 A. Hill Advice to Poets Epist. 12 What they daily heard, and saw, so provokingly praised.
1797 M. Robinson Walsingham I. xviii. 271 Isabella smiled;..her countenance was more than usually animated, while her beauty became provokingly dangerous.
1820 W. Irving Sketch Bk. vi. 69 She wore..a provokingly short petticoat, to display the prettiest foot and ankle in the country round.
1887 J. Ashby-Sterry Lazy Minstrel (1892) 221 When rosy lips, like Cupid's bow, Assault provokingly invite.
1920 Syracuse (N.Y.) Herald 9 Sept. 15/2 She was looking provokingly pretty in a long grey coat and a small close-fitting hat, with a grey veil.
1996 Independent on Sunday (Nexis) 10 Mar. (Real Life section) She looks comfortable, the shoes are flat and the skirt is not provokingly short.
2. In an irritating or annoying manner; so as to provoke irritation; exasperatingly; to a provoking degree.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > anger > [adverb] > in manner to cause anger
splenously1606
provocatively1661
provokingly1705
the mind > emotion > anger > irritation > [adverb] > in irritating manner
to the sensea1616
provocatively1661
provokingly1705
aggravatingly1747
exasperatingly1851
irritatingly1865
naggingly1895
1705 N. Rowe Biter ii. i. 19 Most provokingly impertinent!—to dislike a Man before she sees Him, only in opposition to my Paternal Authority.
1786 F. Burney Diary (1842) III. 233 He smiled a little provokingly, and said..; ‘We agree.’
1831 W. M. Thackeray Let. 29 Sept. (1945) I. 160 The bad wine goes so provokingly slow.
1886 J. J. Hissey On Box Seat 242 The shops are uncompetitive of course, and..provokingly uninteresting.
1919 E. Wharton French Ways vii. v. 149 Some of the characteristics I have noted seem unamiable, others dangerously disintegrating, others provokingly unprogressive.
1996 Independent (Nexis) 16 May 12 He still has a pathological problem with names and is as provokingly polite as ever.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2007; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
<
adv.1615