PROVOKE Synonyms: 100 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'provoke' different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of provoke are exasperate , irritate , nettle , peeve , and rile . While all these words mean "to excite a feeling of anger or annoyance," provoke implies an arousing of strong annoyance that may excite to action. // remarks made solely to provoke her

Q: In what contexts can 'exasperate' take the place of 'provoke'?

The synonyms exasperate and provoke are sometimes interchangeable, but exasperate suggests galling annoyance and the arousing of extreme impatience. // his exasperating habit of putting off needed decisions

Q: When could 'irritate' be used to replace 'provoke'?

While in some cases nearly identical to provoke , irritate implies an often gradual arousing of angry feelings that may range from mere impatience to rage. // constant nagging that irritated me greatly

Q: When is it sensible to use 'nettle' instead of 'provoke'?

The meanings of nettle and provoke largely overlap; however, nettle suggests a sharp but passing annoyance or stinging. // your pompous attitude nettled several people

Q: When might 'peeve' be a better fit than 'provoke'?

The words peeve and provoke can be used in similar contexts, but peeve suggests arousing fretful often petty or querulous irritation. // a toddler peeved at being refused a cookie

Q: When is 'rile' a more appropriate choice than 'provoke'?

Although the words rile and provoke have much in common, rile implies inducing an angry or resentful agitation. // the new work schedules riled the employees

provoke

verb

prə-ˈvōk

Definition of provoke

as in to encourage

to rouse to strong feeling or action his teasing finally provoked her to anger bees generally will not sting unless they are provoked

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to raise

to bring (something volatile or intense) into being rankings that are sure to provoke an argument among film buffs

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word provoke different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of provoke are exasperate, irritate, nettle, peeve, and rile. While all these words mean "to excite a feeling of anger or annoyance," provoke implies an arousing of strong annoyance that may excite to action.

remarks made solely to provoke her

In what contexts can exasperate take the place of provoke?

The synonyms exasperate and provoke are sometimes interchangeable, but exasperate suggests galling annoyance and the arousing of extreme impatience.

his exasperating habit of putting off needed decisions

When could irritate be used to replace provoke?

While in some cases nearly identical to provoke, irritate implies an often gradual arousing of angry feelings that may range from mere impatience to rage.

constant nagging that irritated me greatly

When is it sensible to use nettle instead of provoke?

The meanings of nettle and provoke largely overlap; however, nettle suggests a sharp but passing annoyance or stinging.

your pompous attitude nettled several people

When might peeve be a better fit than provoke?

The words peeve and provoke can be used in similar contexts, but peeve suggests arousing fretful often petty or querulous irritation.

a toddler peeved at being refused a cookie

When is rile a more appropriate choice than provoke?

Although the words rile and provoke have much in common, rile implies inducing an angry or resentful agitation.

the new work schedules riled the employees

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of provoke The development provokes a leadership shake-up on both committees, prompting speculation on who will fill the spots when the next Congress opens in January. — Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 10 Sep. 2026 The first festival screenings finally took place at the Berlinale in 2020, where a spinoff feature and six-hour TV series provoked outrage at the height of the #MeToo movement. — Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2026 Paper wasps and hornets generally focus on hunting garden pests like caterpillars and rarely bother humans unless provoked near their nesting sites. — Nick Perry, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2026 His father, Francisco, was also wary, afraid that the town’s militarization would somehow provoke further conflict. — Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for provoke

Recent Examples of Synonyms for provoke

Verb

Some commentators have said the move will encourage people to return to transacting in cash.

— Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 17 Sep. 2026
Creating opportunities for employees to experiment with AI and contribute ideas can also encourage a culture of innovation and continuous improvement.

— Nishkam Batta, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of encourage

Verb

Behind the scenes, former Pentagon officials described a rush to strike the deals that raised concerns about due diligence, which were heightened when a deal with rare earths startup Reelement faltered.

— Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 21 Sep. 2026
The ban has already raised questions on how the news media and the public will be able to monitor the president’s activities.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of raise

Verb

Direct inhibitory currents appeared in a third of cells two millimeters out, and stimulating the visual cortex had measurable effects as far as frontal motor areas.

— Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 18 Sep. 2026
Prescription medicines that stimulate the salivary glands to make more saliva include Salagen (pilocarpine) and Evoxac (cevimeline).

— Julie Scott, Verywell Health, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of stimulate

Verb

In 2020, the Indian government cut the merchant discount rate, the fee incurred by merchants for accepting payments via UPI, to zero to promote digital transactions in the country.

— Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 17 Sep. 2026
After decades of promoting the film, Wong’s short feature about her China trip was finally aired throughout the United States on ABC television on February 14, 1957.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of promote

Verb

Russian hybrid attacks are different from a traditional armed attack, but the alliance could theoretically trigger the collective defense clause in those cases.

— David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 19 Sep. 2026
The cortex is where the slow rhythms of deep sleep can be seen, but researchers assumed the signals that triggered them originated elsewhere.

— Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of trigger

Verb

The image of babies smashed to bits is likely to arouse protests like Abraham’s.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 18 Sep. 2026
In an unexpected move, China blocked tech company Meta from acquiring artificial intelligence startup Manus in April, after the deal apparently aroused government concern about the transfer of advanced technology.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of arouse

Verb

Stock futures climbed Wednesday evening following a market sell-off incited by the first Federal Reserve interest rate hike in three years.

— Justina Lee,Tanaya Macheel, CNBC, 16 Sep. 2026
Reportedly, the nation has framed it as a necessary step to counter growing counterspace threats from Russia and China, while Beijing has warned against inciting a space arms race.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of incite

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“Provoke.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/provoke. Accessed 22 Sep. 2026.

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