Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Thesaurus

provoke

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of provoke

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

arouse, encourage, excite, fire (up), impassion, incite, instigate, move, pique, rev (up), spark, stimulate, stir
Words Related to provoke

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
Phrases Synonymous with provoke

build a fire under
Near Antonyms of provoke

calm, soothe, subdue, tranquilize (also tranquillize)

appease, mollify, pacify, placate
2 to bring (something volatile or intense) into being
  • rankings that are sure to provoke an argument among film buffs
Synonyms of provoke

abet, brew, ferment, foment, incite, instigate, pick, raise, stir (up), whip (up)
Words Related to provoke

advance, cultivate, encourage, forward, foster, further, nourish, nurture, promote, sow, stimulate

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 Synonymous with provoke

set in motion
Near Antonyms of provoke

bridle, check, constrain, curb, discourage, hold, inhibit, regulate, rein (in), restrain, tame

allay, calm, quiet, settle, soothe, still, subdue, tranquilize (also tranquillize)

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

Learn More about provoke

  1. See words that rhyme with provoke Dictionary: Definition of provoke Medical Dictionary: Definition of provoke Spanish Central: Translation of provoke Nglish: Translation of provoke for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of provoke for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up provoke? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show comments hide comments

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

WORD OF THE DAY

gibbous

irregularly rounded

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. feckless Former RNC chair derides Trump

  2. emergency, national emergency Trump declares crisis over wall

  3. apoplectic Bezos writes post about Pecker

SEE ALL

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games