provoke Definition
- 1stimulate or give rise to (a reaction or emotion, typically a strong or unwelcome one) in someone
- 2deliberately make (someone) annoyed or angry
Using provoke: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "provoke" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The decision to close the factory provoked an angry response from the workers.
Example
She was trying to provoke him into a fight.
Example
His comments provoked a storm of protest from environmental groups.
Example
The article provoked a lively debate among readers.
provoke Synonyms and Antonyms
Idioms Using provoke
Example
You're really provoking a tiger if you keep insulting him like that.
Example
I don't want to provoke fate by talking about how well things are going.
Example
The king's arrogance and hubris provoked the gods, leading to his downfall.
Phrases with provoke
Example
Her witty remarks never failed to provoke laughter from the audience.
Example
The movie's shocking ending provoked a strong reaction from the audience.
Example
The book's complex themes and ideas provoked thought and discussion among readers.
Origins of provoke
from Old French 'provoker', from Latin 'provocare', from 'pro-' (in front of) + 'vocare' (to call)
Summary: provoke in Brief
The verb 'provoke' [prəˈvəʊk] means to stimulate or give rise to a reaction or emotion, often a strong or unwelcome one, or to deliberately make someone annoyed or angry. It can be used in various contexts, such as 'The decision to close the factory provoked an angry response from the workers.' 'Provoke' can also be used in phrases like 'provoke laughter,' 'provoke a reaction,' and 'provoke thought.' Idioms like 'provoke a tiger' and 'provoke fate' denote actions that are likely to cause strong reactions or negative consequences.