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   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. www.dictionary.com › browse › provokePROVOKE Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com

   www.dictionary.com › browse › provoke

   • Cached

   verb (used with object) , pro·voked, pro·vok·ing. to anger, enrage, exasperate, or vex. Synonyms: infuriate, exacerbate, aggravate, annoy, irk. to stir up, arouse, or call forth (feelings, desires, or activity): The mishap provoked a hearty laugh. Synonyms: instigate, rouse.

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

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › us › definition

   • Cached

   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. www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › englishPROVOKE definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary

   www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › english

   • Cached

   2 days ago · 1. to anger or infuriate. 2. to cause to act or behave in a certain manner; incite or stimulate. 3. to promote (certain feelings, esp anger, indignation, etc) in a person. 4. obsolete. to summon. Collins English Dictionary.

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

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › american

   • Cached

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

7. dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › learner-englishPROVOKE | meaning - Cambridge Learner's Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › learner-english

   • Cached

   to cause a strong and usually angry reaction: to provoke an argument. Her statement has provoked a public outcry. provoke verb [T] (MAKE ANGRY) to intentionally make someone angry so that they react in an angry or violent way: He claimed he was provoked by the victim.

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

   www.dictionary.com › browse › provoker

   • Cached

   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?