What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
rile
Example
The loud music from the party next door really riled me up. [riled: verb]
Example
Don't let him rile you up with his comments. [rile: verb]
provoke
Example
His rude behavior provoked her to leave the room. [provoked: verb]
Example
The article was written to provoke discussion and debate. [provoke: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Provoke is more commonly used than rile in everyday language. Provoke is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while rile is less common and is often used in informal contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between rile and provoke?
Provoke is more formal than rile and is often used in more serious or professional contexts. Rile is typically associated with a casual and informal tone.
