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Definitions

provoke

[pruh-vohk] / prəˈvoʊk /
VERB
make angry
Synonyms
STRONGEST
aggravate anger enrage foment incite inflame infuriate irk irritate offend raise
STRONG
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
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
Antonyms
STRONGEST
alleviate appease calm delight discourage help make happy pacify placate please soothe stop
STRONG
aid assuage comfort compliment dissuade fail gratify hinder ignore lose
WEAK
end halt prevent
VERB
start, evoke; stimulate
Synonyms
STRONGEST
arouse bring about cause elicit galvanize generate incite induce inflame inspire instigate kindle lead to motivate precipitate prompt stir
STRONG
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
bring down bring on bring to one's feet build up call forth draw forth fire up give rise to innerve roust suscitate
Antonyms
STRONGEST
calm depress deter discourage dissuade halt prevent put out stop wait
STRONG
bore deaden demote destroy disenchant dishearten dull lose ruin weaken
WEAK
delight end make happy please

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

His tactic is to provoke negotiating partners into losing their cool.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 20, 2026

Many investors are worried that the ongoing conflict with Iran might provoke more volatility in financial markets.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 4, 2026

I’m not sure what would provoke anyone to tune in, but like clockwork, the viewership billowed to the thousands.

From Slate • Feb. 23, 2026

RadialB acknowledges the videos provoke political reactions: "I could put stuff up and there would be like 50-year-olds and 60-year-olds in the comments raging and saying all this political stuff."

From BBC • Feb. 21, 2026

“Do not provoke them with food, and they will not bother you.”

From "Interpreter of Maladies" by Jhumpa Lahiri

Vocabulary lists containing provoke

The Vocabulary.com Top 1000

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Bud, Not Buddy

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Unit 1: Telling Details

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