provoke

play

verb pro·voke \ prə-ˈvōk \

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

—

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

China urged countries involved to refrain from provoking each other, Foreign Affairs spokeswoman Hua Chunying said on Tuesday at a regular briefing in Beijing.

— andy sharp, Bloomberg.com, "Trump Vows ‘All Options’ Open After North Korea Missile Launch," 29 Aug. 2017
But history should provoke — not just inform — by challenging our perceptions.

— john warner, chicagotribune.com, "4 books to read on history that fueled Charlottesville violence," 23 Aug. 2017
And Tina Fey’s surprise, sometimes tone-deaf appearance on Saturday Night Live provoked questions about who should be speaking and who should be listening during this time in our nation’s history.

— rosa inocencio smith, The Atlantic, "The Atlantic Daily: Bye Bye Bannon," 18 Aug. 2017
An Australian senator provoked an angry backlash from lawmakers by wearing a burqa in Parliament on Thursday as part of her campaign for a national ban on Islamic face covers.

— rod mcguirk, The Seattle Times, "Anti-Muslim Australian senator wears burqa in Parliament," 17 Aug. 2017
In laboratory studies, researchers have been able to reliably provoke hallucinations in most subjects after only a single day of blindfolding.

— patrick blanchfield, Esquire, "Shot in the Dark," 1 Aug. 2017
His explosive statements apparently also provoked a furious earful from MGM chief executive and chairman Gary Barber, who personally called the actor to address the interview.

— yohana desta, vanityfair.com, "Daniel Craig Will Reportedly Torture Himself for Another Bond Movie," 25 July 2017
The essay is available online as part of The New School History Project, a site where students curate a trove of recovered archival material to provoke critical and informed discussion.

— catherine cusick, longreads.com, "Tennessee Williams’ Catastrophe of Success," 19 July 2017
The Divided States of Hysteria, written and drawn by Howard Chaykin, and published by Image comics, provoked a strong response from fans.

— george gene gustines, New York Times, "Comic Books That Put the Pow in Political Power," 18 July 2017

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

See Words from the same year

provoke Synonyms

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

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

play

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

play

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.

Medical Dictionary

provoke

play

transitive verb pro·voke \ prə-ˈvōk \

medical Definition of provoke

provoked; provoking

:to induce (a physical reaction)

ipecac provokes vomiting

Law Dictionary

provoke

play

transitive verb pro·voke \ prə-ˈvōk \

legal Definition of provoke

provoked; provoking

1 :to incite to anger

2 :to provide the needed stimulus for

—

provoker

noun

Learn More about provoke

See words that rhyme with provoke Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for provoke Spanish Central: Translation of provoke Nglish: Translation of provoke for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of provoke for Arabic speakers

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Synonyms

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PROVOKE Defined for English Language Learners

provoke

Definition of provoke for English Language Learners

PROVOKE Defined for Kids

provoke

Definition of provoke for Students

Word Root of provoke

Medical Dictionary

provoke

medical Definition of provoke

Law Dictionary

provoke

legal Definition of provoke

provoker

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