They still weren't ready to attack something the size of a man unless provoked, and Blade was careful to avoid provoking them.

Seeking to avoid provoking the Indian soldiers, the British command did not take action against him.

The Communist rulers have tried to avoid provoking the organization, whose members are seen as decent citizens.

Now he spoke as if he wanted to avoid provoking an adverse reaction.

But the veterans of the Solidarity movement see important similarities in the two movements also, beginning with their attempts to avoid provoking violence.

It certainly seemed to some that police officers were keeping hands off, perhaps a policy meant to avoid provoking an incident at an ethnic event.

From then on he had to watch John's moods constantly to avoid accidentally provoking him.

Palestinian leaders demanded that the army stay away from schools today to avoid provoking students, and the military largely complied.

You managed it by finding ways to avoid provoking him.

The Government warned angry citizens to avoid provoking confrontations with the security forces.