Our attempts to talk him out of this merely provoked his scorn.

It would merely provoke the soldiers into rebellion sooner, and they know it.

Sight of the cloaked figure merely provoked the killer to further mirth.

But his thoughtful words merely provoked more of her scorn.

Or does Concorde merely provoke an irresistible sense of optimism and faith in the future?

The work of the nonspecialist is at times thought-provoking; at others, merely provoking.

Shock assailed her as she made the discovery that his insults did not merely provoke anger; they had the power to distress.

Charging people off the road will not encourage the general public to change their travel habits, it will merely provoke widespread dissent and anger.

The regime tried to make the hats illegal, but such repression merely provoked outrage.