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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

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   • O

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   • O

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   • K

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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

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   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.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.

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

   www.dictionary.com › browse › provoke

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   verb (used with object) , pro·voked, pro·vok·ing. to anger, enrage, exasperate, or vex. Synonyms: infuriate, exacerbate, aggravate, annoy, irk. to stir up, arouse, or call forth (feelings, desires, or activity): The mishap provoked a hearty laugh. Synonyms: instigate, rouse.

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

   dictionary.cambridge.org › us › dictionary

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   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

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

8. www.thefreedictionary.com › provokeProvoke - definition of provoke by The Free Dictionary

   www.thefreedictionary.com › provoke

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   1. To incite to anger or resentment: taunts that provoked their rivals. 2. To stir to action or feeling: a remark that provoked me to reconsider. 3. To give rise to; bring about: a miscue that provoked laughter; news that provoked an uproar. 4. To bring about deliberately; induce: provoke a fight.

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

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › english

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   to say or do something that you know will annoy somebody so that they react in an angry way synonym goad. provoke somebody Be careful what you say—he's easily provoked. provoke somebody into (doing) something The lawyer claimed his client was provoked into acts of violence by the defendant.

10. www.yourdictionary.com › provokeProvoke Definition & Meaning | YourDictionary

    www.yourdictionary.com › provoke

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    Provoke Definition. prə-vōk. provoked, provokes, provoking. Meanings. Synonyms. Sentences. Definition Source. Origin. Verb. Filter. verb. provoked, provokes, provoking. To excite to some action or feeling. Webster's New World. To anger, irritate, or annoy. Webster's New World. Similar definitions. To stir up (action or feeling) Webster's New World.

11. www.collinsdictionary.com › us › dictionaryPROVOKE - All you need to know about it | Collins English...

    www.collinsdictionary.com › us › dictionary

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    A complete guide to the word "PROVOKE": definitions, pronunciations, synonyms, grammar insights, collocations, examples, and translations.