provoke
Americanverb (used with object)
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provokes,
present (3rd person singular)
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provoked,
past participle, past
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provoking
present participle
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to anger, enrage, exasperate, or vex.
- Synonyms:
- infuriate, exacerbate, aggravate, annoy, irk
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to stir up, arouse, or call forth (feelings, desires, or activity).
The mishap provoked a hearty laugh.
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to incite or stimulate (a person, animal, etc.) to action.
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to give rise to, induce, or bring about.
What could have provoked such an incident?
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Obsolete. to summon.
verb
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to anger or infuriate
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to cause to act or behave in a certain manner; incite or stimulate
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to promote (certain feelings, esp anger, indignation, etc) in a person
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obsolete to summon
Synonym Usage
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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provokernoun
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overprovokeverb
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misprovokeverb (used with object)
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preprovokeverb (used with object)
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provokingadjective
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provokinglyadverb
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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provokesimple
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provokessimple
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have provokedperfect
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has provokedperfect
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am provokingprogressive
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are provokingprogressive
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is provokingprogressive
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have been provokingperfect progressive
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has been provokingperfect progressive
Past
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provokedsimple
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had provokedperfect
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was provokingprogressive
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were provokingprogressive
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had been provokingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of provoke
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
Explanation
Anything that brings about a strong reaction can be said to provoke. You can provoke that lion if you want. But if he responds by attacking, don't come running to me. Let's consider some people who have been known to provoke. Lenny Bruce, was more than just a comedian. He was a "provocateur" who used humor to deliver his controversial diatribes. Humor was his way to provoke people to think. Madonna made her name not only by producing a memorable catalogue of great pop songs, she proved herself to be a master at provoking people through her outrageous attire and lyrics. The moral of this story? It's possible to provoke both positive and negative responses.
Vocabulary lists containing provoke
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Kiffin surely knew the blowback that would happen with the stunt, the headlines Wright’s arrival would provoke.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 26, 2026
Although she says she "wasn't there for social media" and didn't touch or provoke the shark, she admits she was too close to the animals.
From BBC ● Aug. 15, 2026
"It is defended precisely when those opinions disturb or provoke disagreement, provided that they form part of democratic debate, as is the case across all of our media outlets."
From Barron's ● Jul. 29, 2026
Refn: How to provoke the soul is through stillness and silence.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 23, 2026
Mr. Michael is baiting Coach, trying to provoke an unwise attack.
From "Black Brother, Black Brother" by Jewell Parker Rhodes
Truly creative and inspiring art undermines that goal, because it provokes responses like empathy and critical thinking in audiences — which gets in the way of authoritarian domination.
From Salon ● Jul. 20, 2026
Fractile joins hardware startups that have been racing to bring products to market and strike deals with major customers as agentic AI provokes an upsurge in computing demand.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 13, 2026
The worry "is that the tariff threat provokes retaliatory actions by the EU, triggering a new trade war," said Briefing.com analyst Patrick O'Hare.
From Barron's ● Jan. 20, 2026
"The idea is that it provokes thought – even though there's a lot of tragedy and disaster, it doesn't mean it isn't a good time to be alive."
From BBC ● Dec. 27, 2025
It's a voice that provokes first irritation and then eagerness.
From "The Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins
"What the defendant did offended the Balinese people, hurt their faith and provoked public outrage," the presiding judge said, according to the Associated Press.
From BBC ● Aug. 21, 2026
In fact, the entire stock market could be best described as a casino that incentivizes absurd growth like the historic tech bubble provoked by the spread of artificial intelligence.
From Salon ● Aug. 12, 2026
I would not physically fight with another inmate, even if provoked.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 5, 2026
It has also provoked debate over whether the mission of higher education — and help paying for it — should be tied to a paycheck after graduation.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 22, 2026
Chaol just provoked her...though he had his good side, too.
From "Throne of Glass" by Sarah J. Maas
Then two 6-10 players suddenly showed up at Kennedy, provoking a City Section investigation.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 23, 2026
It said such devices contributed to higher atmospheric pollution of nitrogen oxides that are suspected of "provoking the development of respiratory diseases in humans".
From Barron's ● Jul. 27, 2026
The pair have a bit of rivalry with Price's on-stage roars and antics often provoking Littler into doing similar, but the teenager denied that Price can get "under his skin".
From BBC ● Jul. 25, 2026
Carney would try to sway the outcome, without provoking the superpower that imports three-quarters of Canada’s goods.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 8, 2026
Mr. Woodhouse’s peculiarities and fidgetiness were sometimes provoking him to a rational remonstrance or sharp retort equally ill-bestowed.
From "Emma" by Jane Austen
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
