provoke

verb pro·voke \ prə-ˈvōk \

|Updated on: 15 Aug 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

—

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

The effort has provoked retaliation, and now the world's two biggest economies, the United States and China, are in a full-blown trade war.

— martin crutsinger, courant.com, "Federal Reserve projects further gradual hikes in key rate," 13 July 2018
Thought-provoking musings on writers Henry David Thoreau, William Somerset Maugham, Dame Muriel Spark, and others round out the wide-ranging collection.

— necee regis, BostonGlobe.com, "Here, there, and everywhere," 12 June 2018
Those questions drove the show's central, anxiety-provoking premise.

— hank stuever, chicagotribune.com, "In a somber, satisfying 'Americans' finale, Philip and Elizabeth make a painful choice," 31 May 2018
Finding the person who will be a surrogate can also be a stress-provoking experience for an individual or couple.

— samantha saltz, m.d., miamiherald, "Few discuss the emotional toll of struggling to conceive a child," 30 May 2018
Neither does frontman Eze Jackson, whose thoughtful and thought-provoking verses sound so smooth over the band’s inventive production.

— wesley case, baltimoresun.com, "The 10 Baltimore-area concerts we're most looking forward to this spring and summer," 22 Mar. 2018
False political stories -- researchers didn't separate conservative versus liberal -- and stuff that was surprising or anger-provoking spread faster than other types of lies, Aral said.

— CBS News, "False stories travel faster than the truth on Twitter, study finds," 8 Mar. 2018
In 1978, the author Janet Malcolm published in this magazine a long and thought-provoking piece about family therapy.

— hilton als, The New Yorker, "With “Fairview,” Jackie Sibblies Drury Breaks the Fourth Wall," 24 June 2018
Where the pilsner is a pristine example of simplicity, the farmhouse ale is an artful showcase of thought-provoking flavor.

— alex delany, Bon Appetit, "The 5 Styles of Beer That Will Get You Through a Hot, Hot Summer," 19 June 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.