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1. Dictionary

   Pro·voke

   /prəˈvōk/

   

   verb

   • 1. stimulate or give rise to (a reaction or emotion, typically a strong or unwelcome one) in someone: "the decision provoked a storm of protest from civil rights organizations" Similar arouseproduceevokecausegive rise tooccasioncall forthdraw forthelicitinduceinspireexcitespark offtouch offkindlegenerateengenderinstigateresult inlead tobring oncontribute tomake forfosterpromotebreedprecipitateprompttriggerliterary:begetenkindleOpposite allay
   • ▪ stimulate or incite (someone) to do or feel something, especially by arousing anger in them: "a teacher can provoke you into working harder" Similar goadspurprickstingprodegg onhoundbadgerinciterousestirmovestimulatemotivateexciteinflamework/fire upimpelpressurepressurizepromptinduceencourageurgeinspireOpposite deter
   • ▪ deliberately make (someone) annoyed or angry: "Rachel refused to be provoked" Similar annoymake angryangerincenseenragesend into a rageirritateinfuriateexasperateexacerbatemaddenpiquenettleget/take a rise out ofbotherupsetagitatevexirkgallget/put someone's back upget on someone's nervesruffleruffle someone's feathersmake someone's hackles riseraise someone's hacklesmake someone's blood boilrub up the wrong wayput someone outharassharryplaguemolestteasetaunttormentaffrontinsultoffendinformal:peeveaggravatehasslemiffrileneedlegetget tobughack offget under someone's skinget in someone's hairget someone's goatget across someoneget on someone's wickgive someone the humpwind upnarkget up someone's noserankleridegravelvulgar slang:piss offget on someone's titsOpposite pacifyappease

   Word Origin late Middle English (also in the sense ‘invoke, summon’): from Old French provoquer, from Latin provocare ‘challenge’, from pro- ‘forth’ + vocare ‘to call’.

   Derivatives

   • 1. provokable adjective
   • 2. provoker noun

   Scrabble Points: 16

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2. en.thefreedictionary.com › provokeProvoke - definition of provoke by The Free Dictionary

   en.thefreedictionary.com › provoke

   • Cached

   1. To incite to anger or resentment: taunts that provoked their rivals. 2. To stir to action or feeling: a remark that provoked me to reconsider. 3. To give rise to; bring about: a miscue that provoked laughter; news that provoked an uproar. 4. To bring about deliberately; induce: provoke a fight.

3. www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › provokesProvokes Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

   www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › provokes

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   1. a. : to call forth (a feeling, an action, etc.) : evoke. provoke laughter. b. : to stir up purposely. provoke a fight. c. : to provide the needed stimulus for. will provoke a lot of discussion. 2. a. : to incite to anger. b. archaic : to arouse to a feeling or action. provoker noun. Synonyms. arouse. encourage.

4. en.m.wiktionary.org › wiki › provokeprovoke - Wiktionary, the free dictionary

   en.m.wiktionary.org › wiki › provoke

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   Feb 26, 2024 · provoke (third-person singular simple present provokes, present participle provoking, simple past and past participle provoked) ( transitive ) To cause someone to become annoyed or angry. Don't provoke the dog; it may try to bite you.

5. www.wordreference.com › definition › provokeprovoke - WordReference.com Dictionary of English

   www.wordreference.com › definition › provoke

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   to stir up, arouse, or call forth (feelings, desires, or activity): She provoked anger in a lot of people.

6. www.dictionary.com › browse › provokersPROVOKE Definition & Usage Examples | Dictionary.com

   www.dictionary.com › browse › provokers

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   verb (used with object),pro·voked, pro·vok·ing. to anger, enrage, exasperate, or vex. to stir up, arouse, or call forth (feelings, desires, or activity): The mishap provoked a hearty laugh. to incite or stimulate (a person, animal, etc.) to action. to give rise to, induce, or bring about: What could have provoked such an incident?

7. www.oed.com › dictionary › provoke_vprovoke, v. meanings, etymology and more | Oxford English ...

   www.oed.com › dictionary › provoke_v

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   What does the verb provoke mean? There are nine meanings listed in OED's entry for the verb provoke, four of which are labelled obsolete. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence. provoke has developed meanings and uses in subjects including. law (Middle English) ecclesiastical law (mid 1500s) ecclesiastical (mid 1500s)

8. dictionary.cambridge.org › essential-british-english › provokeprovoke | meaning in the Cambridge Essential English Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › essential-british-english › provoke

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   verb. uk / prəˈvəʊk/ provoking | provoked. to cause a strong and usually angry reaction: Her statement provoked an angry response. (Definition of provoke from the Cambridge Essential Dictionary © Cambridge University Press) Translations of provoke. in Chinese (Traditional) 引起反應, 激起，引起（尤指負面反應）, 激怒… See more. in Chinese (Simplified)