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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.

For those of us not raised on ranches, these references can provoke some worthwhile personal research.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 2, 2026

But know that whatever you say or do, however benign, can be weaponized to provoke a reaction, and as much as we try, everyone has their breaking point.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 3, 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

Theo is far more psychologically evolved, but he has his own blind spots that provoke Sally, who’s more emancipated than Sylvia but less professionally assured and just as unstable.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 14, 2026

It is not clear whether he was trying to gather intelligence or provoke war.

From "Fallout: Spies, Superbombs, and the Ultimate Cold War Showdown" by Steve Sheinkin