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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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   • E

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2. dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › englishPROVOKE | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › english

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   PROVOKE definition: 1. to cause a reaction, especially a negative one: 2. to make or try to make a person or an animal…. Learn more.

3. www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › us › definitionprovoke verb - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage...

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › us › definition

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   provoke something to cause a particular reaction or have a particular effect. The announcement provoked a storm of protest. The article was intended to provoke discussion. Dairy products may provoke allergic reactions in some people.

4. www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › provokeProvoke - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms | Vocabulary.com

   www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › provoke

   verb. evoke or provoke to appear or occur. “Her behavior provoked a quarrel between the couple”. synonyms: call forth, evoke, kick up. arouse, bring up, call down, call forth, conjure, conjure up, evoke, invoke, put forward, raise, stir. summon into action or bring into existence, often as if by magic. see more.

5. dictionary.cambridge.org › us › dictionaryPROVOKE | definition in the Cambridge English Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › us › dictionary

   • Cached

   PROVOKE meaning: 1. to cause a reaction, especially a negative one: 2. to make or try to make a person or an animal…. Learn more.

6. www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › american_englishprovoke verb - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage...

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › american_english

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   Definition of provoke verb in Oxford Advanced American Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

7. www.thefreedictionary.com › provokeProvoke - definition of provoke by The Free Dictionary

   www.thefreedictionary.com › provoke

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   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.

8. www.dictionary.com › browse › provokerPROVOKE Definition & Usage Examples | Dictionary.com

   www.dictionary.com › browse › provoker

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   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?