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

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

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

Two and a half years later, the tragedy still provokes anger and calls for justice amid widespread distrust of political leaders accused of negligence.

Read more on Barron's

Security forces "sought to negotiate with the leader to voluntarily surrender to the relevant authorities, but he refused and barricaded himself inside the camp... and began firing, provoking security personnel, and terrorising residents", Bakir said.

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Last month Orcel said the stake would rise to around 30 percent by the end of the year, bringing it closer to a possible takeover, which has provoked uproar in Germany.

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But the security guard on their campaign office front door reminds you they provoke strong opinions, positive and negative.

Read more on BBC

Unlike mitigation, which often provokes partisan battles over energy, regulation and ideology, adaptation is rooted in practicality and shared human interests.

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