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

His appearance came days after he suddenly fired the new CDC director, Susan Monarez, provoking a group of senior staffers to resign in protest.

From BBC

The ICE raid this month at Glass House Brands in Camarillo has provoked anxiety across California’s legal cannabis industry.

From Los Angeles Times

Pahler’s murder occurred while the Menendez brothers were on trial, and the grisly killing of a young, white girl provoked a similar level of media frenzy.

From Los Angeles Times

At the same time, he reiterated his view that "this crisis wasn't triggered by Russia's attack on Ukraine, but was a result of a coup in Ukraine, which was supported and provoked by the West".

From BBC

Roberts acknowledged the movie would provoke debate, commenting: "We are challenging people to have conversation and to be excited by that or to be infuriated by that, it's up to you."

From BBC

Related Words

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