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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.

“Mother!” has done what the writer-director set out to do: Provoke intelligent conversation after experiencing a film like you’ve never seen before.

From New York Times • Sep. 20, 2017

“Be as honest as you can. Express it as honestly as you can. Provoke, inspire, nudge, cajole others to be likewise. Be open. I think we would all relate better if we did that.”

From Washington Post • Mar. 18, 2015

“What are you trying to do? Provoke him into an attack?” he asks me.

From "Mockingjay" by Suzanne Collins

"Provoke him, thou coward!" roared out, still louder, the enraged emperor.

From Journeys Through Bookland, Vol. 4 by Sylvester, Charles Herbert

A prince, with eunuchs and the softer sex Shut up so long, would warlike nations vex, Provoke the German, and, neglecting heaven, Forget the truce for which his oath was given.

From Poetical Works of Edmund Waller and Sir John Denham by Denham, John, Sir

Vocabulary lists containing provoke

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Bud, Not Buddy

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Unit 1: Telling Details

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