provoke

Definition for provoke

verb as in make angry

Strongest matches

aggravate, anger, enrage, foment, incite, inflame, infuriate, irk, irritate, offend, raise

Strong matches

abet, abrade, affront, annoy, bother, bug, chafe, exasperate, exercise, fret, gall, get, grate, incense, insult, madden, nag, perturb, pique, rile, roil, ruffle, set, upset, vex

Weak matches

get on one's nerves, get under one's skin, hit where one lives, make blood boil, make waves, put out, set on, try one's patience, whip up, work into lather, work up

verb as in start, evoke; stimulate

Strongest matches

arouse, bring about, cause, elicit, galvanize, generate, incite, induce, inflame, inspire, instigate, kindle, lead to, motivate, precipitate, prompt, stir

Strong matches

animate, awaken, begin, bestir, challenge, electrify, enthuse, excite, fire, innervate, make, move, occasion, pique, prime, produce, promote, quicken, rally, rouse, thrill, titillate, titivate, waken, whet

Weak matches

bring down, bring on, bring to one's feet, build up, call forth, draw forth, fire up, give rise to, innerve, roust, suscitate

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Jeffrey Abramson, professor emeritus of government and law at the University of Texas, agreed that the administration “seems prepared to defy a federal court order and provoke a constitutional crisis.”

From Salon

He questioned whether the Trump administration would provoke a "constitutional crisis" by not releasing the student from custody if the court were to order that she be moved from detention in Louisiana back to Vermont.

From BBC

In announcing its latest tariffs, China's commerce ministry said last week that it would "fight to the end" if the US "insists on provoking a tariff war or trade war".

From BBC

Judeline will no doubt provoke cries of adulation and ecstasy in the crowd at Coachella — and eventually, in cities across the Western Hemisphere.

From Los Angeles Times

This footage provoked outrage in the Arab world and many assumed the boy was dead.

From BBC

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provoke

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