provoke

[ pruh-vohk ]

verb (used with object)

, pro·voked, pro·vok·ing.

1. to anger, enrage, exasperate, or vex.

   Synonyms: infuriate, exacerbate, aggravate, annoy, irk

2. to stir up, arouse, or call forth (feelings, desires, or activity):

   The mishap provoked a hearty laugh.

   Synonyms: instigate, rouse

3. to incite or stimulate (a person, animal, etc.) to action.
4. to give rise to, induce, or bring about:

   What could have provoked such an incident?

5. Obsolete. to summon.

provoke

/ prəˈvəʊk /

verb

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

Derived Forms

• proˈvokingly, adverb
• proˈvoking, adjective

Other Words From

• pro·vok·er noun
• mis·pro·voke verb (used with object) misprovoked misprovoking
• o·ver·pro·voke verb overprovoked overprovoking
• pre·pro·voke verb (used with object) preprovoked preprovoking

Word History and Origins

Origin of provoke¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Latin prōvocāre “to call forth, challenge, provoke,” equivalent to prō- pro- ¹ + vocāre “to call”; akin to vōx voice

Word History and Origins

Origin of provoke¹

C15: from Latin prōvocāre to call forth, from vocāre to call

Synonym Study

See irritate. See incite.

Example Sentences

Expressing any sort of ambivalence about parenting is a surefire way to provoke social-media outrage.

From Los Angeles Times

This one was how can we only use dialogue to provoke, terrify and generate suspense.”

From Los Angeles Times

That would provoke a cut in benefits of as much as 33% if Congress fails to act in the interim, the committee reckoned — pointing to Trump’s proposals to eliminate taxes on Social Security benefits, imposing across-the-board tariffs on imported goods and deporting millions of immigrants.

From Los Angeles Times

However, by the time we heard “Us,” Lamar was simply using Drake as a symbol to provoke a larger conversation about authenticity, accountability and manhood.

From Los Angeles Times

“But they don’t want America to provoke Iran and then lose interest.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• arouse
• bring about
• cause
• elicit
• galvanize
• generate
• incite
• induce
• inflame
• inspire
• instigate
• kindle
• lead to
• motivate
• precipitate
• prompt
• stir