provoke

pro·voke

verb \prə-ˈvōk\

pro·vokedpro·vok·ing

Definition of PROVOKE

transitive verb

1

a archaic : to arouse to a feeling or action b : to incite to anger

2

a : to call forth (as a feeling or action) : evoke <provoke laughter> b : to stir up purposely <provoke a fight> c : to provide the needed stimulus for <will provoke a lot of discussion>

— pro·vok·er noun

Examples of PROVOKE

1. His remarks provoked both tears and laughter.
2. He just says those things because he's trying to provoke you.
3. The animal will not attack unless it is provoked.

Origin of PROVOKE

Middle English, from Anglo-French *provoker, provocher, from Latin provocare, from pro- forth + vocare to call, from voc-, vox voice — more at pro-, voice

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to PROVOKE

Synonyms: arouse, encourage, excite, fire (up), impassion, incite, instigate, move, pique, rev (up), spark, stimulate, stir, build a fire under

Related Words: fan, ignite, inflame (also enflame), kindle, trigger; activate, animate, drive, energize, galvanize, induce, inspire, key (up), motivate, motive, pump up, quicken, set off, vitalize; abet, ferment, foment, raise, whip (up); anger, enrage, madden, upset; jeer, taunt, tease; aggravate, annoy, bother, exasperate, gall, get, irritate, vex

Near Antonyms: calm, soothe, subdue, tranquilize (also tranquillize); appease, mollify, pacify, placate

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Synonym Discussion of PROVOKE

provoke, excite, stimulate, pique, quicken mean to arouse as if by pricking. provoke directs attention to the response called forth <my stories usually provoke laughter>. excite implies a stirring up or moving profoundly <news that excited anger and frustration>. stimulate suggests a rousing out of lethargy, quiescence, or indifference <stimulating conversation>. pique suggests stimulating by mild irritation or challenge <that remark piqued my interest>. quicken implies beneficially stimulating and making active or lively <the high salary quickened her desire to have the job>.

Rhymes with PROVOKE

ad hoc, backstroke, baroque, bespoke, blow smoke, breaststroke, brushstroke, bur oak, chain-smoke, convoke, cork oak, cowpoke, downstroke, evoke, ground stroke, heatstroke, holm oak, in-joke, invoke, keystroke, kinfolk, kinsfolk, menfolk, pin oak, post oak, presoak, red oak, revoke, scrub oak, she-oak, sidestroke, silk oak, slowpoke, sunchoke, sunstroke, tan oak, townsfolk, uncloak, unyoke, upstroke, white oak, workfolk