provoke

verb pro·voke \ prə-ˈvōk \

|Updated on: 6 Jun 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: provoke in a Sentence

Definition of provoke

provoked; provoking

transitive verb

1 a archaic : to arouse to a feeling or action

b : to incite to anger

2 a : to call forth (a feeling, an action, etc.) : evoke

provoke laughter

b : to stir up purposely

provoke a fight

c : to provide the needed stimulus for

will provoke a lot of discussion

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provoker

noun

See provoke defined for English-language learners

See provoke defined for kids

Examples of provoke in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples of provoke from the Web

Just a few hours after throwing a wrench into the, well, line of succession, Logan keels over in a helicopter and lies comatose in a hospital, provoking his children and board of directors into action to find an interim CEO.

— kelly lawler, USA TODAY, "Review: HBO can't succeed with corporate media-family drama 'Succession'," 31 May 2018
Cincinnati connection to the memorial The memorial aims to provoke discussions of race and the shared history of racial trauma nationwide.

— mark curnutte, Cincinnati.com, "Six blacks lynched near Cincinnati among 4,400 named at a new memorial that opens Thursday," 25 Apr. 2018
This run can be shortened by cutting back early to check out the thought-provoking public artwork under the Cambie Street Bridge illustrating future sea level rise.

— destination canada, Bon Appetit, "Journey by the Sea: A Food Lover's Running Guide to Vancouver," 19 Mar. 2018
If Musk catches Trump’s ear, and is able to provoke him into asking China for changes, car companies have to contend with plenty of other issues besides tariffs when trying to expand into that new market.

— jack stewart, WIRED, "Elon Musk's and Donald Trump's Twitter Tariff Tiff," 12 Mar. 2018
An investigation by the city found that the smaller dog provoked the other dog before the attack by barking at it and running to the fence, according to police Sgt.

— emily k. coleman, Lake County News-Sun, "Changes to Waukegan's animal control ordinance unlikely, for now," 6 Mar. 2018
Yes, her previous albums were rich and diverse, but there was a singular motive behind them all: to provoke.

— christopher rosa, Glamour, "20 Years Later, 'Ray of Light' Is Still Madonna's Most Shocking Reinvention," 3 Mar. 2018
Or two weeks ago, when Stephenson provoked James into a technical foul for shoving Stephenson during a tense exchange.

— clifton brown, Indianapolis Star, "Insider: What will Lance Stephenson do to LeBron James? Even Lance doesn't know," 25 Jan. 2018
The lesser charge takes into account the idea that a reasonable person could kill after being provoked into a sudden passion or heat of blood that deprives them of self-control, Harges said.

— michelle hunter, NOLA.com, "Woman carjacked in Lower Garden District Saturday night," 14 Jan. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'provoke.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology 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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

provoke Synonyms

Synonyms

abet, brew, ferment, foment, incite, instigate, pick, raise, stir (up), whip (up);

Near Antonyms

bridle, check, constrain, curb, discourage, hold, inhibit, regulate, rein (in), restrain, tame;

allay, calm, quiet, settle, soothe, still, subdue, tranquilize (also tranquillize);

detonate, set, set off, trigger;

excite, galvanize, inflame (also enflame), inspire, motivate, rouse;

activate, energize, enliven, fire, invigorate, jazz (up), liven (up), pep (up), quicken, stimulate, vitalize;

Phrases

set in motion;

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

synonyms see in addition irritate

PROVOKE Defined for English Language Learners

provoke

verb

Definition of provoke for English Language Learners

: to cause the occurrence of (a feeling or action) : to make (something) happen
: to cause (a person or animal) to become angry, violent, etc.

PROVOKE Defined for Kids

provoke

verb pro·voke \ prə-ˈvōk \

Definition of provoke for Students

provoked; provoking

1 : to cause to become angry

Don't provoke your sister.

2 : to bring about

The joke provoked a smile.

Word Root of provoke

The Latin word vox, meaning “voice,” and the related word vocāre, meaning “to call”, give us the root voc or vok. Words from the Latin vox or vocāre have something to do with the voice or with calling. Anything vocal is produced by the voice. A vocation is the work that someone is called to do as a job. To evoke is to call forth. To invoke is to call on for aid or protection. To provoke is to call forth another's anger. The word voice also has vox as its root.