provoke

verb pro·voke \ prə-ˈvōk \

Updated on: 12 Apr 2018

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

Yet the move has provoked a strong outcry, both from free speech advocates and political parties across the ideological spectrum in Germany.

— sara miller llana, The Christian Science Monitor, "Is Germany’s bold new law a way to clean up the internet or is it stifling free expression?," 8 Apr. 2018
The head of Russia’s foreign intelligence agency lashed out at the U.S. and NATO allies on Wednesday, accusing the West of provoking a new Cold War amid escalating tensions over the poisoning of an ex-spy and his daughter in England.

— travis fedschun, Fox News, "Russian spy chief accuses US and UK of staging nerve attack, predicts return to ‘dark times of Cold War’," 4 Apr. 2018
Now, an Islamabad court now wants Rizvi to be tried for provoking the violence.

— Washington Post, "Hundreds stage sit-in supporting radical Pakistani cleric," 4 Apr. 2018
During its short life as a public company, Tesla has provoked an unending debate between believers in its prospects and doubters who point to its continuing losses.

— david r. baker, San Francisco Chronicle, "Tesla believers undeterred by string of mishaps," 3 Apr. 2018
Spectre 2 has provoked both operating system and hardware changes, with more hardware fixes planned.

— peter bright, Ars Technica, "As predicted, more branch prediction processor attacks are discovered," 26 Mar. 2018
From elsewhere in the federal government, Sunday night’s death may provoke a sharper response.

— pete bigelow, Car and Driver, "First Death Brings Unanswered Questions, Rattles the Self-Driving Future," 20 Mar. 2018
Trump also credited himself for using a hawkish strategy to induce North Korea to enter talks about limiting its nuclear capabilities despite international concern that his rhetoric might provoke a confrontation.

— jonathan allen, NBC News, "Trump mocks Canada’s Trudeau at GOP fundraiser, bluffs prime minister on trade," 15 Mar. 2018
For example, the type of polarizing ads that Facebook admits Russia’s Internet Research Agency purchased get rewarded by Facebook’s undisclosed algorithm for provoking user engagement.

— joshua a. geltzer, WIRED, "Bad Actors Are Using Social Media Exactly As Designed," 11 Mar. 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

: 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 \

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.