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1. Dictionary

   provoke

   /prəˈvəʊk/

   verb

   • 1. stimulate or give rise to (a reaction or emotion, typically a strong or unwelcome one) in someone: "the decision provoked a storm of protest from civil rights organizations" Similar arouseproduceevokecausegive rise tooccasioncall forthdraw forthelicitinduceinspireexcitespark offtouch offkindlegenerateengenderinstigateresult inlead tobring oncontribute tomake forfosterpromotebreedprecipitateprompttriggerliterary:begetenkindleOpposite allay
   • ▪ stimulate or incite (someone) to do or feel something, especially by arousing anger in them: "a teacher can provoke you into working harder" Similar goadspurprickstingprodegg onhoundbadgerinciterousestirmovestimulatemotivateexciteinflamework/fire upimpelpressurepressurizepromptinduceencourageurgeinspireOpposite deter
   • ▪ deliberately make (someone) annoyed or angry: "Rachel refused to be provoked" Similar annoymake angryangerincenseenragesend into a rageirritateinfuriateexasperateexacerbatemaddenpiquenettleget/take a rise out ofbotherupsetagitatevexirkgallget/put someone's back upget on someone's nervesruffleruffle someone's feathersmake someone's hackles riseraise someone's hacklesmake someone's blood boilrub up the wrong wayput someone outharassharryplaguemolestteasetaunttormentaffrontinsultoffendinformal:peeveaggravatehasslemiffrileneedlegetget tobughack offget under someone's skinget in someone's hairget someone's goatget across someoneget on someone's wickgive someone the humpwind upnarkget up someone's noserankleridegravelvulgar slang:piss offget on someone's titsOpposite pacifyappease

   Word Origin late Middle English (also in the sense ‘invoke, summon’): from Old French provoquer, from Latin provocare ‘challenge’, from pro- ‘forth’ + vocare ‘to call’.

   Derivatives

   • 1. provokable adjective
   • 2. provoker noun

   Scrabble Points: 16

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   More definitions, origin and scrabble points

2. dictionary.cambridge.org › us › dictionaryPROVOKE | definition in the Cambridge English Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › us › dictionary

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   PROVOKE meaning: 1. to cause a reaction, especially a negative one: 2. to make or try to make a person or an animal…. Learn more.

3. www.dictionary.com › browse › provokePROVOKE Definition & Meaning - Dictionary.com

   www.dictionary.com › browse › provoke

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   to incite or stimulate (a person, animal, etc.) to action. to give rise to, induce, or bring about: What could have provoked such an incident? Obsolete. to summon. provoke. / prəˈvəʊk / verb. to anger or infuriate. to cause to act or behave in a certain manner; incite or stimulate.

4. www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › provokeProvoke - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms - Vocabulary.com

   www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › provoke

   Anything that brings about a strong reaction can be said to provoke. You can provoke that lion if you want. But if he responds by attacking, don't come running to me.

5. www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › englishprovoke verb - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage...

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › english

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   provoke something to cause a particular reaction or have a particular effect. The announcement provoked a storm of protest. The article was intended to provoke discussion. Dairy products may provoke allergic reactions in some people.

6. www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › american_englishprovoke verb - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage...

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › american_english

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   verb. /prəˈvoʊk/ Verb Forms. provoke something to cause a particular reaction or have a particular effect The announcement provoked a storm of protest. The article was intended to provoke discussion. Dairy products may provoke allergic reactions in some people. Take your English to the next level.

7. www.thefreedictionary.com › provokeProvoke - definition of provoke by The Free Dictionary

   www.thefreedictionary.com › provoke

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   1. To incite to anger or resentment: taunts that provoked their rivals. 2. To stir to action or feeling: a remark that provoked me to reconsider. 3. To give rise to; bring about: a miscue that provoked laughter; news that provoked an uproar. 4. To bring about deliberately; induce: provoke a fight.

8. www.yourdictionary.com › provokeProvoke Definition & Meaning - YourDictionary

   www.yourdictionary.com › provoke

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   To stir up (action or feeling) Webster's New World. Similar definitions. To give rise to; bring about. A miscue that provoked laughter; news that provoked an uproar. American Heritage. To call forth; evoke. To provoke a smile. Webster's New World.

9. www.ldoceonline.com › dictionary › provokeprovoke | meaning of provoke in Longman Dictionary of...

   www.ldoceonline.com › dictionary › provoke

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   provoke meaning, definition, what is provoke: to cause a reaction or feeling, especial...: Learn more.

10. www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › english-wordPROVOKE - Find out everything about this English word | Collins

    www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › english-word

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    Definitions of 'provoke'. 1. If you provoke someone, you deliberately annoy them and try to make them behave aggressively. [...] 2. If something provokes a reaction, it causes it. [...] More.

11. dictionary.cambridge.org › us › dictionaryPROVOKE | definition in the Cambridge Learner’s Dictionary

    dictionary.cambridge.org › us › dictionary

    • Cached

    PROVOKE meaning: 1. to cause a strong and usually angry reaction: 2. to intentionally make someone angry so that…. Learn more.