provoke

[pruh-vohk]

verb (used with object)

provoked, provoking 

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

Other Word Forms

• provoker noun
• misprovoke verb (used with object)
• overprovoke verb
• preprovoke verb (used with object)
• provokingly adverb
• provoking adjective

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

This all should provoke some American rethinking: Hamas’s revival risks preventing any international stabilization force from getting off the ground.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The strikes have provoked outcry throughout Latin America.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

"The mention of the word Ireland immediately provoked a negative reaction," he said, adding that his hosts "can't do business with Ireland".

Read more on BBC

“Second, the government is perpetrating extreme violence against peaceful and innocent American civilians in order to provoke a reaction that the government then uses as an after-the-fact justification for the violence it has already used.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Maye, who indeed provokes credible comparisons to Buffalo’s Allen because of his size and running ability, is on a historic, MVP-candidate tear.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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