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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

   • P

     3

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     1

   • O

     1

   • V

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   • O

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   • K

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   • E

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2. dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › englishPROVOKE | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › english

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   PROVOKE definition: 1. to cause a reaction, especially a negative one: 2. to make or try to make a person or an animal…. Learn more.

3. www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › provokeProvoke Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

   www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › provoke

   • Cached

   The meaning of PROVOKE is to call forth (a feeling, an action, etc.) : evoke. How to use provoke in a sentence. Synonym Discussion of Provoke.

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

   www.dictionary.com › browse › provoke

   • Cached

   verb. to anger or infuriate. to cause to act or behave in a certain manner; incite or stimulate. to promote (certain feelings, esp anger, indignation, etc) in a person. obsolete. to summon.

5. www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › provokeProvoke - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms | Vocabulary.com

   www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › provoke

   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.

6. dictionary.cambridge.org › us › dictionaryPROVOKE | definition in the Cambridge English Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › us › dictionary

   • Cached

   PROVOKE meaning: 1. to cause a reaction, especially a negative one: 2. to make or try to make a person or an animal…. Learn more.

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

   www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › english

   • Cached

   If you provoke someone, you deliberately annoy them and try to make them behave aggressively.

8. www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › englishprovoke verb - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage...

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › english

   • 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.