provoke

verb

pro·​voke prə-ˈvōk How to pronounce provoke (audio)
provoked; provoking

transitive verb

1
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
2
a
: to incite to anger
b
archaic : to arouse to a feeling or action
provoker noun
Choose the Right Synonym for 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

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 on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
But if Washington follows a few principles, such improvements will not necessarily provoke Chinese aggression. Oriana Skylar Mastro, Foreign Affairs, 20 May 2025 Doctors gave her Pitocin, a medication used to provoke contractions, and a Foley balloon, which is a catheter-​like device that gets the cervix to dilate. Kayla Grant, People.com, 20 May 2025 Critic: challenging the assumptions embedded in the machine’s logic • Catalyst: using synthetic scenarios to provoke deeper reflection and bolder decisions Artificial intelligence must be seen as a speculative partner. Andre Shojaie, Forbes.com, 19 May 2025 The protests were meant to provoke a response; the obsessive smearing signals that the disruption is doing its work. Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 17 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for provoke

Word History

Etymology

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, in the meaning defined at sense 2b

Time Traveler
The first known use of provoke was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Provoke.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/provoke. Accessed 24 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

provoke

verb
pro·​voke prə-ˈvōk How to pronounce provoke (audio)
provoked; provoking
1
: to excite to anger
2
: to stir up : bring about
provoke an argument
Etymology

Middle English provoken "to arouse to strong feeling or action," from early French provoquer (same meaning), from Latin provocare "to call forth, stir up," from pro- "forth, forward" and vocare "to call" — related to advocate, revoke, vocation

Medical Definition

provoke

transitive verb
pro·​voke prə-ˈvōk How to pronounce provoke (audio)
provoked; provoking
: to induce (a physical reaction)
ipecac provokes vomiting

Legal Definition

provoke

transitive verb
pro·​voke prə-ˈvōk How to pronounce provoke (audio)
provoked; provoking
1
: to incite to anger
2
: to provide the needed stimulus for
provoker noun

More from Merriam-Webster on provoke

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