Definitions
- Describing a feeling of annoyance or frustration caused by someone or something. - Referring to a physical reaction to an external stimulus, such as itching or scratching. - Talking about a mild or moderate level of anger or agitation.
- Referring to an action or behavior that intentionally causes a negative reaction or response. - Describing a situation that triggers a strong emotional response, such as anger or frustration. - Talking about an intentional attempt to incite or instigate a conflict or argument.
List of Similarities
- 1Both words describe negative emotions or reactions.
- 2Both words can be used to refer to a person or thing that causes the negative emotion or reaction.
- 3Both words can be used in a figurative or literal sense.
What is the difference?
- 1Intention: Irritate often implies an unintentional or accidental cause of annoyance, while provoke suggests an intentional or deliberate attempt to cause a negative reaction.
- 2Intensity: Provoke implies a stronger and more intense reaction than irritate.
- 3Action vs. Reaction: Provoke emphasizes the action or behavior that causes the negative reaction, while irritate focuses on the reaction itself.
- 4Control: Provoke suggests a lack of control over one's emotions or actions, while irritate does not necessarily imply a loss of control.
- 5Connotation: Provoke has a more negative connotation than irritate, which can sometimes be used in a more neutral or even humorous context.
Remember this!
Irritate and provoke are both words that describe negative emotions or reactions, but they differ in their intention, intensity, and focus. Irritate suggests a mild or moderate level of annoyance or frustration, often caused unintentionally, while provoke implies a deliberate attempt to cause a strong emotional response. Provoke also emphasizes the action or behavior that causes the reaction, while irritate focuses on the reaction itself.
