Yahoo Canada Web Search

Search results

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

   • P

     3

   • R

     1

   • O

     1

   • V

     4

   • O

     1

   • K

     5

   • E

     1

   Powered by Oxford Dictionaries

   More definitions, origin and scrabble points

2. dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › englishPROVOKE | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › english

   • Cached

   PROVOKE definition: 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.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › provokeProvoke Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

   www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › provoke

   • Cached

   The meaning of PROVOKE is to call forth (a feeling, an action, etc.) : evoke. How to use provoke in a sentence. Synonym Discussion of Provoke.

4. www.dictionary.com › browse › provokePROVOKE Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com

   www.dictionary.com › browse › provoke

   • Cached

   provoke. [ pr uh - vohk ] Phonetic (Standard) IPA. verb (used with object) , pro·voked, pro·vok·ing. to anger, enrage, exasperate, or vex. Synonyms: infuriate, exacerbate, aggravate, annoy, irk. to stir up, arouse, or call forth (feelings, desires, or activity): The mishap provoked a hearty laugh.

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

   dictionary.cambridge.org › us › dictionary

   • Cached

   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.

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

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › american_english

   • Cached

   Be careful what you say—he's easily provoked. Definition of provoke verb in Oxford Advanced American Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

7. 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.

8. www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › englishPROVOKE definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary

   www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › english

   • Cached

   1. to anger or infuriate. 2. to cause to act or behave in a certain manner; incite or stimulate. 3. to promote (certain feelings, esp anger, indignation, etc) in a person. 4. obsolete. to summon. Collins English Dictionary.

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

   www.thefreedictionary.com › provoke

   • Cached

   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.

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

    www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › english

    • Cached

    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.

11. www.yourdictionary.com › provokeProvoke Definition & Meaning | YourDictionary

    www.yourdictionary.com › provoke

    • Cached

    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.