DictionaryAI

provoke

verb
Saypruh-VOHK/pɹəˈvoʊk/UK/pɹəˈvəʊk/AUS/pɹəˈvəʉk/

Formsprovokes, provoking, provoked

3 meanings of provoke

Practice

  1. 1
    verbtransitive
    To cause something to happen, like a feeling or a reply.

    Like pressing a button to make a machine start working.

    The new tax will provoke a strong reaction from voters.

    Her bold question provoked laughter from the whole crowd.

    Similarincite, instigate, spark, excite, goad

    Oppositestifle, suppress, prevent

    Note
  2. 2
    verbtransitive
    To make someone feel annoyed or angry.

    Like teasing someone over and over until they finally get mad.

    Stop trying to provoke your brother before dinner.

    His rude comments provoked the tired teacher.

    Similarannoy, irritate, bother, exasperate, antagonize

    Oppositecalm, soothe, placate, pacify

    Note
  3. 3
    verbobsolete
    To make a formal appeal to a higher court or ruler.
    Even Arius and Pelagius durst provoke To what the centuries preceding spoke.
    [1682], [John] Dryden, Religio Laici or A Laymans Faith. A PoemHere, provoke means to appeal to a higher authority, as in a court.
    Note

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Origin

It came from a Latin word 'prōvocāre', passing through French before reaching English.